CVE-2025-53732 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Microsoft Office for Android, specifically affecting version 16.0.1. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory buffers during document processing, which can lead to overwriting adjacent memory on the heap. This memory corruption enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code locally on the device without requiring prior authentication or elevated privileges. The attack vector involves convincing a user to open a specially crafted malicious Office document, which triggers the overflow. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing code execution that could lead to data theft, modification, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 (High) reflects the ease of exploitation (low attack complexity), no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. Currently, there are no known public exploits or active exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability was reserved on July 9, 2025, and published on August 12, 2025, but no patch links are yet available, indicating that mitigation options are limited at present. This issue is tracked under CWE-122, a common weakness related to heap-based buffer overflows, which are often exploited to gain code execution capabilities. The vulnerability affects the Android platform, which is widely used in mobile devices, increasing the potential attack surface for organizations relying on mobile productivity tools.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Microsoft Office on Android devices for mobile productivity. Successful exploitation could lead to local code execution, enabling attackers to access sensitive corporate data, install persistent malware, or disrupt business operations on compromised devices. This is particularly concerning for sectors with high mobile workforce usage, such as finance, consulting, and government agencies. The confidentiality of sensitive documents could be compromised, integrity of data altered, and availability of services disrupted. Since exploitation requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting European employees could be an effective attack vector. The lack of an immediate patch increases the window of exposure. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face additional challenges in enforcing security controls. The impact extends to regulatory compliance, as data breaches involving personal or corporate data could trigger GDPR-related penalties.

Given the absence of an official patch at this time, European organizations should implement layered mitigations. First, restrict the opening of Office documents from untrusted or unknown sources on Android devices, using mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app behavior. Deploy mobile threat defense (MTD) solutions capable of detecting anomalous app behavior or exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious documents, emphasizing caution with email attachments and links. Monitor network traffic and device logs for indicators of compromise or unusual activity related to Office apps. Where possible, enforce application sandboxing and least privilege principles to limit the impact of any successful exploit. Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once Microsoft releases updates by maintaining an up-to-date inventory of affected devices and software versions. Additionally, consider isolating sensitive workloads from mobile devices or using virtualized environments to reduce exposure. Collaborate with security vendors for threat intelligence updates related to this vulnerability.