CVE-2023-21715
Microsoft Office Publisher contains a security feature bypass vulnerability that allows for a local, authenticated attack on a targeted system.
Browse: All 2023 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 7.3 High
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2023-02-14, remediation due 2023-03-07)
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-863
- Published
- 2023-02-14
- Last modified
- 2026-08-19
- NVD status
- Analyzed
Description
Microsoft Office Publisher contains a security feature bypass vulnerability that allows for a local, authenticated attack on a targeted system.
Affected products
- microsoft 365 apps
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2023-03-07.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-21715
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-21715
FAQ
Is CVE-2023-21715 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2023-21715 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2023-02-14, with a federal remediation deadline of 2023-03-07. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-21715?
CVE-2023-21715 has a CVSS base score of 7.3 (High). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Related vulnerabilities
- CVE-2009-0238 — Microsoft Office
- CVE-2026-21514 — Microsoft Office
- CVE-2026-21509 — Microsoft Office
- CVE-2009-0556 — Microsoft Office
- CVE-2007-0671 — Microsoft Office
- CVE-2023-23397 — Microsoft Office
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
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