Vulnerability record

CVE-2009-0556

Microsoft Office PowerPoint Code Injection Vulnerability

HighExploitation confirmedCISA KEV

What should I do?

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: attackers are using it. If you run Office, fix it now.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Jan 28, 2026.

Patch status

Official fix available since Sep 30, 2026

Apply the vendor's update to every affected system. Check the fixed-in versions below where known.

Basis: NVD patch reference

Patch or advisory on microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)

Description

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, and 2003 SP3, and PowerPoint in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PowerPoint file with an OutlineTextRefAtom containing an an invalid index value that triggers memory corruption, as exploited in the wild in April 2009 by Exploit:Win32/Apptom.gen, aka "Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database. Official vulnerability data, reproduced as published.

Affected products

Products affected by this vulnerability, with versions and the source of each entry
Product	Vendor	Affected versions	Source
Office	Microsoft	—	KEV
PowerPoint	Microsoft	2000; 2002; 2003	NVD

Sources: KEV = CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; NVD = NIST National Vulnerability Database.

Intelligence timeline

Developments from the last 30 days, newest first.

CVSS scoredUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
CVE-2009-0556 scored CVSS 8.8: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office PowerPoint Code Injection Vulnerability
CISA lists this as exploited in the wild. Unpatched Office systems are exposed to active attacks now.
Basis: NIST National Vulnerability Database
Patch releasedUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
Patch released for CVE-2009-0556: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office PowerPoint Code Injection Vulnerability
An official fix is now available for Microsoft Office. This vulnerability is being exploited, so apply it promptly.
Basis: NVD patch reference

1 earlier event is available with a subscription. See plans.

Coverage

We have not published a story about this vulnerability yet.

References

learn.microsoft.com https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-017
nvd.nist.gov https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0556
blogs.technet.com http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2009/04/02/new-0-day-exploits-using-powerpoint-files.aspx
blogs.technet.com http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2009/04/02/microsoft-security-advisory-969136.aspx
blogs.technet.com http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/04/02/investigating-the-new-powerpoint-issue.aspx
osvdb.org http://osvdb.org/53182
secunia.com http://secunia.com/advisories/34572
kb.cert.org http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/627331
microsoft.com http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/969136.mspx
securityfocus.com http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/503453/100/0/threaded
securityfocus.com http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34351
securitytracker.com http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021967
us-cert.gov http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-132A.html
vupen.com http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0915
vupen.com http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1290
zerodayinitiative.com http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-019
docs.microsoft.com https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-017
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/49632
oval.cisecurity.org https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6204
oval.cisecurity.org https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6279
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2009-0556