PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-108438 Microsoft CVE debrief
CVE-2026-108438 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Office Word that allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. The CVE record was published on 2026-10-15T21:17:09.260Z and has not been modified since then. Defenders responsible for Microsoft Office Word installations, particularly those in environments where sensitive information is handled, should assess exposure and prioritize patching. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5 and a severity of MEDIUM.
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
- CVSS
- MEDIUM 6.5
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-10-15
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-10-16
- Advisory published
- 2026-10-15
- Advisory updated
- 2026-10-16
Who should care
Defenders responsible for Microsoft Office Word installations, particularly those in environments where sensitive information is handled, should assess exposure and prioritize patching.
Why it matters
CVE-2026-108438 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Office Word that allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Defenders should prioritize verifying and patching vulnerable installations to prevent potential information disclosure.
- Verify and patch vulnerable Microsoft Office Word installations to prevent potential information disclosure
- Monitor for potential information disclosure attempts to detect possible exploitation
- Review and update incident response plans to address potential security incidents
Technical summary
CVE-2026-108438 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Office Word that allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5 and a severity of MEDIUM. Defenders should prioritize verifying and patching vulnerable Microsoft Office Word installations to prevent potential information disclosure. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Office Word installations, and defenders should review and update incident response plans to address potential security incidents.
Defensive priority
Defenders should prioritize verifying and patching vulnerable Microsoft Office Word installations to prevent potential information disclosure.
Recommended defensive actions
- Verify and patch vulnerable Microsoft Office Word installations
- Monitor for potential information disclosure attempts
- Review and update incident response plans
Evidence notes
The CVE record and NVD entry provide limited information about the vulnerability, with the NVD entry currently listed as 'Received'. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Office Word installations, and defenders should verify and patch vulnerable installations to prevent potential information disclosure. The CVE record and NVD entry do not provide detailed information about the vulnerability, but defenders should review and update incident response plans to address potential security to
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
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CVE-2026-108438 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-108438
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2026-108438 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-108438
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-108438
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.