Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-1711 is a Microsoft Office remote code execution vulnerability affecting several Office versions. Successful exploitation could let an attacker run code with the user’s permissions, but the CVSS data indicates user interaction is required. Treat this as important endpoint patching work, especially where Office is widely deployed.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation as a high-severity endpoint risk. The business concern is user-driven code execution through Office on unpatched machines, not confirmed active exploitation. Patch through normal emergency or accelerated desktop update processes based on asset exposure and Office prevalence.
Technical view
The source bundle identifies affected Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, 2013 SP1, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise versions. CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is primarily on endpoints running the listed Microsoft Office products without the relevant Microsoft security update. Internet-facing servers are not indicated by the provided CVSS vector. Risk is broader in environments where users frequently receive or open Office content from external or untrusted sources.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. CVSS exploit maturity is listed as unproven. Based on the vector, exploitation requires user interaction on an affected Office installation, but the provided sources do not describe a specific trigger or exploitation method.
Researcher notes
The public bundle is sparse: no CWE, exploit narrative, affected build ranges, or KB identifiers are included here. The strongest grounded details are Microsoft’s affected product list, CVSS vector, official remediation level, and absence of KEV evidence. Avoid asserting exploit mechanics beyond required user interaction.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft’s official security update guidance for CVE-2021-1711.
- Prioritize endpoints running affected Office versions listed in the advisory.
- Confirm Microsoft 365 Apps update channels are receiving security updates.
- Reduce user exposure to untrusted Office content until patching is complete.
- Check vendor guidance for any product-specific servicing details.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Office 2010 SP2, 2013 SP1, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 Apps installations.
- Verify installed Office builds against Microsoft’s CVE-2021-1711 update guidance.
- Confirm endpoint vulnerability scanners no longer report CVE-2021-1711.
- Review patch management records for January 2021 Office security updates.
- Spot-check high-risk user systems where Office documents are frequently handled.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-1711 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-1711CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC, x_transferred
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.