CVE-2009-0238

Name: CVE-2009-0238
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-02-25T16:30:00.343+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 43.06%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-0238 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Microsoft Office Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1; Excel Viewer 2003 Gold and SP3; Excel Viewer; Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP1; and Excel in Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document that triggers an access attempt on an invalid object, as exploited in the wild in February 2009 by Trojan.Mdropper.AC.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 43.06% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Microsoft Office Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1; Excel Viewer 2003 Gold and SP3; Excel Viewer; Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP1; and Excel in Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document that triggers an access attempt on an invalid object, as exploited in the wild in February 2009 by Trojan.Mdropper.AC.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

43.06%

98.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Apr 28, 2026.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Excel	2000	Sp3
Microsoft	Excel	2002	Sp3
Microsoft	Excel	2003	Sp3
Microsoft	Excel	2007	Sp1
Microsoft	Excel Viewer	All versions	—
Microsoft	Office	2004	—
Microsoft	Office	2008	—
Microsoft	Office Compatibility Pack	2007	Sp1
Microsoft	Office Excel Viewer	All versions	—
Microsoft	Office Excel Viewer	2003	Sp3

References

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2658Broken Link
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5923Press/Media Coverage
http://securitytracker.com/id?1021744Broken Link
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/968272.mspxVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33870Broken Link
http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-022310-4202-99Broken Link
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-104A.htmlUS Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1023Broken Link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-009Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/48875Third Party Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5968Broken Link
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2658Broken Link
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5923Press/Media Coverage
http://securitytracker.com/id?1021744Broken Link
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/968272.mspxVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33870Broken Link
http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-022310-4202-99Broken Link
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-104A.htmlUS Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1023Broken Link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-009Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/48875Third Party Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5968Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2009-0238US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Feb 25, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-0238?

How severe is CVE-2009-0238?

CVE-2009-0238 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 43.06% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2009-0238?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

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Source: NVD / NIST