Microsoft Excel Macro Warning SYLK File link following

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Excel and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Macro Warning Handler. Executing a manipulation as part of SYLK File can lead to link following. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-1999-0794. No exploit exists. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet Software) (the affected version is unknown) and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects an unknown code of the component Macro Warning Handler. The manipulation as part of a SYLK File leads to a link following vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-59. The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Microsoft Excel does not warn a user when a macro is present in a Symbolic Link (SYLK) format file.

The weakness was disclosed 10/01/1999 with Microsoft as MS99-044 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared for download at microsoft.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-1999-0794. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

Applying the patch MS99-044 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (3369), SecurityFocus (BID 727†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-4234†). Additional details are provided at support.microsoft.com. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.7

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Link following
CWE: CWE-59
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: MS99-044

Timelineinfo

10/01/1999 🔍
10/01/1999 +0 days 🔍
10/20/1999 +19 days 🔍
10/20/1999 +0 days 🔍
05/02/2004 +1656 days 🔍
06/21/2014 +3702 days 🔍
04/19/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS99-044
Organization: Microsoft
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0794 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0794
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14872
X-Force: 3369
SecurityFocus: 727 - Microsoft Excel SYLK Macro Execution Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 4234 - [MS99-044] Excel 97, 2000 Automatically Imports Macros in SYLK File, Medium

Misc.: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/22/2014 01:40
Updated: 04/19/2026 12:30
Changes: 06/22/2014 01:40 (61), 05/21/2019 12:11 (3), 04/19/2026 12:30 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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