Microsoft Word Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Priority MEDIUM 45Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.02737 86th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Microsoft Office 2019 (Microsoft): https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleasesMicrosoft Office 2019 for Mac (Microsoft): publication+5 more products
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Office 2019 | 19.0.0 to before https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac | 16.0.0 to before publication | publication | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise | 16.0.1 to before https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Word 2016 | 16.0.1 to before publication | publication | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac | 16.0.0 to before publication | publication | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 | 13.0.0.0 to before publication | publication | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 | 15.0.1 to before publication | publication | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 | 15.0.1 to before publication | publication | Patch available | CNA |
- Microsoft Office 2019 VendorMicrosoft Affected 19.0.0 to before https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases Fixed in https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases Patch available CNA
- Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac VendorMicrosoft Affected 16.0.0 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise VendorMicrosoft Affected 16.0.1 to before https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases Fixed in https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases Patch available CNA
- Microsoft Word 2016 VendorMicrosoft Affected 16.0.1 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA
- Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac VendorMicrosoft Affected 16.0.0 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA
- Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 VendorMicrosoft Affected 13.0.0.0 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA
- Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 VendorMicrosoft Affected 15.0.1 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA
- Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 VendorMicrosoft Affected 15.0.1 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 28
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1607 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1709 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1803 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1809 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1903 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1909 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2004 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1607 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1709 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1803 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1809 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1903 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1909 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2004 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
Show 18 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* | r2 sp1 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | r2 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1903 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1909 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2004 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2016:*:*:*:*:macos:*:* | 2016 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:*:*:*:*:-:*:* | 2019 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:*:*:*:*:macos:*:* | 2019 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2010 sp2 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2013 sp1 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1:*:*:rt:*:*:* | 2013 sp1 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2016 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* Versions r2 sp1 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions r2 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1903 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1909 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2004 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2016:*:*:*:*:macos:*:* Versions 2016 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:*:*:*:*:-:*:* Versions 2019 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:*:*:*:*:macos:*:* Versions 2019 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2010 sp2 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2013 sp1 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1:*:*:rt:*:*:* Versions 2013 sp1 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2016 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Office 2019 (Microsoft) Fixed in https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac (Microsoft) Fixed in publication
- Fix · CNA Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (Microsoft) Fixed in https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Word 2016 (Microsoft) Fixed in publication
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac (Microsoft) Fixed in publication
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 (Microsoft) Fixed in publication
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 (Microsoft) Fixed in publication
- Fix · CNA Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 (Microsoft) Fixed in publication
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-16933
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3fp4-rv66-mvj2
More Microsoft 365 Apps vulnerabilities
- TI-2024-14173 Microsoft Outlook Remote Code Execution Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-09240 Microsoft Outlook Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-25471 Microsoft Project Remote Code Execution Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2023-17652 Microsoft Outlook Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-17368 Microsoft Word Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2026-17363 Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
- CVE-2020-16933 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-16933 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3fp4-rv66-mvj2 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences