CVE-2009-3129

Name: CVE-2009-3129
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-11-11T19:30:00.53+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 85.73%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-3129 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 85.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

85.73%

99.7th 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 Mar 24, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Excel	2002	Sp3
Microsoft	Excel	2003	Sp3
Microsoft	Excel	2007	Sp1
Microsoft	Excel Viewer	All versions	Sp1
Microsoft	Excel Viewer	2003	Sp3
Microsoft	Office	2004	—
Microsoft	Office	2008	—
Microsoft	Open Xml File Format Converter	All versions	—

References

http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2009-11/0080.htmlBroken Link
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=832Broken Link
http://osvdb.org/59860Broken Link
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/14706Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36945Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1023157Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-314A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-083Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-067Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6521Broken Link
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2009-11/0080.htmlBroken Link
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=832Broken Link
http://osvdb.org/59860Broken Link
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/14706Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36945Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1023157Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-314A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-083Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-067Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6521Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2009-3129US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Nov 11, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-3129?

How severe is CVE-2009-3129?

CVE-2009-3129 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 85.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2009-3129?

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-2009-3129?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST