CVE-2025-47162 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Microsoft Office 2019, specifically version 19.0.0. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-122, which pertains to improper handling of memory buffers leading to overflow conditions on the heap. The flaw allows an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code locally without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking when processing certain data within Microsoft Office documents, which can cause memory corruption. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to full compromise of the affected system, including complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability loss. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.4 (high severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk for targeted local attacks or scenarios where an attacker can execute code locally, such as through malicious macros or embedded objects in Office documents. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation and monitoring. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because Microsoft Office is widely used in enterprise environments, and exploitation could lead to system compromise, data theft, or disruption of business operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-47162 could be substantial due to the widespread use of Microsoft Office 2019 across various sectors including government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code locally, potentially leading to lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, or deployment of ransomware and other malware. The high severity and no requirement for user interaction mean that even automated or semi-automated local attacks could succeed if an attacker gains initial access. This could disrupt business continuity, compromise sensitive personal and corporate data protected under GDPR, and damage organizational reputation. Additionally, organizations with strict compliance requirements may face regulatory penalties if they fail to address this vulnerability promptly. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the risk remains high given the potential impact and ease of exploitation once local access is obtained.

1. Immediate deployment of any available security updates or patches from Microsoft once released is critical. 2. Until a patch is available, implement application whitelisting and restrict execution of untrusted Office macros and embedded content to reduce the risk of local code execution. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual memory operations or process spawning from Office applications. 4. Enforce the principle of least privilege to limit user permissions, reducing the potential impact of local exploits. 5. Conduct user awareness training focusing on the risks of opening untrusted Office documents, even though user interaction is not required for exploitation, as initial access vectors often involve social engineering. 6. Utilize network segmentation to contain potential breaches and limit lateral movement. 7. Regularly audit and harden local security configurations and monitor logs for anomalies related to Office processes. 8. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing local privilege escalation and code execution scenarios involving Office products.