CVE-2026-97016: Microsoft Office Outlook Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

Critical (CVSS 9.8)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Remote Code Execution

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Less Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Oct

Released

2026-10-13

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Outlook allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

FAQ

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? An attacker could send a specially crafted email message to a target user. Simply viewing the message in the Outlook Reading Pane could trigger the vulnerability, without the recipient opening the message or clicking anything in it. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute code on the recipient's system. Network access is required; authentication and user interaction are not required.

Affected Products (6)

Microsoft Office

• Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions
• Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions
• Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 64-bit editions
• Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 for 32-bit editions
• Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 64-bit Systems
• Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems

Acknowledgments

Anonymous

Revision History

• 2026-10-13: Information published.