CVE-2020-16957

Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Oct 16, 2020 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS 3.9% KEV · Not listed

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code on a victim system.
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by enticing a victim to open a specially crafted file.
The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine handles objects in memory.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

Microsoft

Microsoft Office 2019

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`19.0.0`	affected	< https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases

Microsoft

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`16.0.1`	affected	< https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases

Configuration 1 [-]

OR	cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:::::::*
	cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:::::-::

No data.

No data available yet.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Advisories

Source	ID	Title
EUVD	EUVD-2020-8915	<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code on a victim system.</p> <p>An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by enticing a victim to open a specially crafted file.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine handles objects in memory.</p>

Metrics

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

Access Vector Network

Access Complexity Medium

Authentication None

Confidentiality Impact Complete

Integrity Impact Complete

Availability Impact Complete

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: 3.9% (3.871% probability within 30 days)

Key SSVC decision points have not yet been added.

References

Link	Providers
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16957

History

Feb 23, 2026 6:15 PM Description updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description	<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code on a victim system.</p> <p>An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by enticing a victim to open a specially crafted file.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine handles objects in memory.</p>	<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code on a victim system.</p> <p>An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by enticing a victim to open a specially crafted file.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way the Microsoft Office Access Connectivity Engine handles objects in memory.</p>