# CVE-2016-7266: Microsoft Excel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2016-7266 is fixed in 11 products on 1 platform, first by KB3128019, released December 13, 2016. It is not reported as exploited, but the vendor rates exploitation more likely. Patch Radar priority: Urgent.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2016-7266
- Priority: Urgent
- CVSS: n/a (Important)
- EPSS: 0.2279
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Vendor exploitability assessment: Exploitation More Likely
- Published: Dec 13, 2016
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2016-7266

## Description

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft Excel improperly checks registry settings when an attempt is made to run embedded content. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute arbitrary commands. In a file-sharing attack scenario, an attacker could provide a specially crafted document file designed to exploit the vulnerability and then convince users to attempt to open the document multiple times.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Excel checks registry settings when a user attempts to open or execute embedded content.</p>

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2007 Service Pack 3 |  | [KB3128019](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128019.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) |  | [KB3128037](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128037.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) |  | [KB3128037](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128037.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2013 RT Service Pack 1 |  | [KB3128008](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128008.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) |  | [KB3128008](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128008.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) |  | [KB3128008](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128008.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2016 (32-bit edition) |  | [KB3128016](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128016.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2016 (64-bit edition) |  | [KB3128016](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128016.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac |  | [KB3198800](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3198800.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Excel Viewer 2007 Service Pack 3 |  | [KB3128023](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128023.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 |  | [KB3128022](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3128022.md) | Dec 13, 2016 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T19:12:23Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.