CVE-2003-0821

What it is

Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, and 2002 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a spreadsheet with a malicious XLM (Excel 4) macro that bypasses the macro security model.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

19.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2003-12-15 05:00 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 22:02 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 19.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2003-12-15 05:00 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 22:02 UTC

Exploit probability

19.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Microsoft Word 97
• Microsoft Word 98
• Microsoft Word 2000
• Microsoft Word 2002
• Microsoft Works 2001
• Microsoft Works 2002
• Microsoft Works 2003
• Microsoft Works 2004

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Partial

Integrity

Partial

Availability

Partial

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2003-0821.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2003-0821. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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