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CVE-2008-0081

CWE-908Published: January 16, 2008· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

9.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3 through 2003 SP2, Viewer 2003, and Office 2004 for Mac allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted macros, aka "Macro Validation Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-3490.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2008-0081 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2008-0081. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorNetwork

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges Req.None

User InteractionNone

ScopeUnchanged

Impact

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Microsoft3 product(s)

excelexcel vieweroffice

Source: NVD CPE · 5 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists

Offensive Security exploit database

GitHub PoC Search

Community PoC repositories

Rapid7 / Metasploit

Metasploit module search

Security advisories & exploits

Official NIST entry

CVE Program entry

External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/947563.mspx

PATCHhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27305

PATCHhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2008/ms08-014

PATCHhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/947563.mspx

PATCHhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27305

PATCHhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2008/ms08-014

ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/28506

ADVISORYhttp://securitytracker.com/id?1019200

ADVISORYhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-071A.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0146

ADVISORYhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0846/references

ADVISORYhttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39699

ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/28506

ADVISORYhttp://securitytracker.com/id?1019200

ADVISORYhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-071A.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0146

ADVISORYhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0846/references

ADVISORYhttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39699

All References (22)

→

http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=120585858807305&w=2Mailing List

→

http://secunia.com/advisories/28506Broken Link · Vendor Advisory

→

http://securitytracker.com/id?1019200Broken Link · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/947563.mspxBroken Link · Patch · Vendor Advisory

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27305Broken Link · Patch · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-071A.htmlBroken Link · Third Party Advisory · US Government Resource

→

http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0146Broken Link · Vendor Advisory

→

http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0846/referencesBroken Link · Vendor Advisory

→

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2008/ms08-014Patch · Vendor Advisory

→

https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39699Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5546Broken Link

→

http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=120585858807305&w=2Mailing List

→

http://secunia.com/advisories/28506Broken Link · Vendor Advisory

→

http://securitytracker.com/id?1019200Broken Link · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/947563.mspxBroken Link · Patch · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2008-0081

CVSS Score9.8 / 10

SeverityCRITICAL

WeaknessCWE-908

CISA KEVNo

ExploitPOC

Affected1 vendor(s)

PublishedJan 16, 2008

Related CVEs (CWE-908)

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2008-0081 in threat intel feeds
→Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts

Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.

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