CVE-2009-3129: Microsoft Excel Featheader Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2009-3129 is a high (CVSS 9.3) Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in Microsoft Excel. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-03-2022. EPSS estimates a 84.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.6% of scored vulnerabilities. 3 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 11-11-2009
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 03-03-2022
   Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Excel Featheader Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability
3. 24-03-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 22-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

Microsoft Office Excel 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1 and SP2; Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; Office Excel Viewer 2003 SP3; Office Excel Viewer SP1 and SP2; and Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP1 and SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a spreadsheet with a FEATHEADER record containing an invalid cbHdrData size element that affects a pointer offset, aka "Excel Featheader Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

• CWE-787Out-of-bounds WriteThe product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.