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CVE-2012-1854

Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Insecure Library Loading

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 21.0%
  1. Published10 Jul 2012
  2. Added to CISA KEV13 Apr 2026
  3. Remediation due27 Apr 2026
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) contains an insecure library loading vulnerability that could allow for remote code execution.

Added to KEV: 13 Apr 2026Federal remediation due: 27 Apr 2026

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in VBE6.dll in Microsoft Office 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2 and SP3, and 2010 Gold and SP1; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA); and Summit Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .docx file, aka "Visual Basic for Applications Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability," as exploited in the wild in July 2012.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Office2003 · 2007 · 2010
Microsoft Visual Basic For Applicationsall versions
Microsoft Visual Basic For Applications Sdkall versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2012-1854 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2012-1854 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 13 Apr 2026.

How severe is CVE-2012-1854?

CVE-2012-1854 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 21.0% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2012-1854?

Affected products include Microsoft Office, Microsoft Visual Basic For Applications, Microsoft Visual Basic For Applications Sdk.

How do I fix CVE-2012-1854?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2012-1854 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.