CVE-2009-0556

Name: CVE-2009-0556
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-04-03T18:30:00.61+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 67.54%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-0556 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, and 2003 SP3, and PowerPoint in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PowerPoint file with an OutlineTextRefAtom containing an an invalid index value that triggers memory corruption, as exploited in the wild in April 2009 by Exploit:Win32/Apptom.gen, aka "Memory Corruption Vulnerability.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 67.54% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, and 2003 SP3, and PowerPoint in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PowerPoint file with an OutlineTextRefAtom containing an an invalid index value that triggers memory corruption, as exploited in the wild in April 2009 by Exploit:Win32/Apptom.gen, aka "Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

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

67.54%

99.2th 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 Jan 28, 2026.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Office Powerpoint	2004	—
Microsoft	Powerpoint	2000	Sp3
Microsoft	Powerpoint	2002	Sp3
Microsoft	Powerpoint	2003	Sp3

References

http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2009/04/02/new-0-day-exploits-using-powerpoint-files.aspxVendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2009/04/02/microsoft-security-advisory-969136.aspxVendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/04/02/investigating-the-new-powerpoint-issue.aspxVendor Advisory
http://osvdb.org/53182Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/34572Vendor Advisory
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/627331US Government Resource
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/969136.mspxPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/503453/100/0/threadedBroken Link
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34351Broken Link
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021967Broken Link
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-132A.htmlUS Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0915Vendor Advisory
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1290Broken Link
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-019Third Party Advisory
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-017Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/49632Third Party Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6204Broken Link
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6279Broken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2009/04/02/new-0-day-exploits-using-powerpoint-files.aspxVendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2009/04/02/microsoft-security-advisory-969136.aspxVendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/04/02/investigating-the-new-powerpoint-issue.aspxVendor Advisory
http://osvdb.org/53182Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/34572Vendor Advisory
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/627331US Government Resource
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/969136.mspxPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/503453/100/0/threadedBroken Link
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34351Broken Link
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021967Broken Link
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-132A.htmlUS Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0915Vendor Advisory
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1290Broken Link
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-019Third Party Advisory
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-017Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/49632Third Party Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6204Broken Link
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6279Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2009-0556US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Apr 3, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-0556?

How severe is CVE-2009-0556?

CVE-2009-0556 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 67.54% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2009-0556?

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.

Are you affected by CVE-2009-0556?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST