CVE-2026-105599 in PowerPoint
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office PowerPoint allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical security flaw within the Microsoft Office PowerPoint application, specifically manifesting as a heap-based buffer overflow condition. This type of memory corruption error occurs when a program writes data beyond the allocated boundaries of a buffer located in the heap segment of computer memory. In the context of PowerPoint, this defect is triggered by processing specially crafted files or content that contains malformed data structures exceeding expected limits. The attacker leverages this flaw to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code or shellcode, thereby gaining control over the execution flow of the application process. Because the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, it represents a severe compromise of system integrity and confidentiality.
From an operational perspective, the ability to execute code remotely via network interaction significantly elevates the risk profile of this vulnerability. An attacker does not necessarily need physical access or user credentials if they can deliver the malicious payload through phishing emails, shared drives, or compromised websites that host infected PowerPoint files. When a victim opens such a file, the exploit triggers automatically during the parsing and rendering phases of the presentation software. This leads to full compromise of the affected system, allowing the attacker to install malware, steal sensitive data, create backdoors for persistent access, or pivot further into the internal network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially encompass entire organizational networks if lateral movement occurs using compromised credentials obtained from the initial breach.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-120, which classifies buffer copies without checking size limits as a fundamental software design error. Furthermore, in terms of tactical behavior within enterprise environments, this exploit technique corresponds to ATT&CK tactic T1203, specifically referencing exploitation for client execution. Attackers frequently utilize social engineering tactics combined with such vulnerabilities to bypass traditional perimeter defenses that may not inspect the internal content structure of office documents deeply enough before allowing them into user workstations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that standard endpoint protection solutions must be highly configured to detect anomalous memory access patterns and script execution behaviors associated with heap overflow exploits.
Mitigation strategies require a multi-layered approach beginning with immediate patching of all affected Microsoft Office versions using official security updates provided by the vendor. Organizations should enforce strict policies regarding the opening of files from untrusted sources, utilizing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running even if an exploit succeeds in placing code on disk. Additionally, enabling Protected View for documents opened from potentially unsafe locations can isolate the rendering engine and prevent active content or macros from executing until explicitly trusted by the user. Network segmentation and advanced threat protection solutions that perform deep packet inspection of file transfers can also help detect and block malicious payloads before they reach end-user devices. Regular security awareness training remains essential to reduce the likelihood of users inadvertently triggering such exploits through social engineering campaigns targeting PowerPoint files.