Vulnerability record

CVE-2012-1856

Microsoft Office MSCOMCTL.OCX Remote Code Execution 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 updates per vendor instructions.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Mar 24, 2022.

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 docs.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)

Description

The TabStrip ActiveX control in the Common Controls in MSCOMCTL.OCX in Microsoft Office 2003 SP3, Office 2003 Web Components SP3, Office 2007 SP2 and SP3, Office 2010 SP1, SQL Server 2000 SP4, SQL Server 2005 SP4, SQL Server 2008 SP2, SP3, R2, R2 SP1, and R2 SP2, Commerce Server 2002 SP4, Commerce Server 2007 SP2, Commerce Server 2009 Gold and R2, Host Integration Server 2004 SP1, Visual FoxPro 8.0 SP1, Visual FoxPro 9.0 SP2, and Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) document or (2) web page that triggers system-state corruption, aka "MSCOMCTL.OCX RCE 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	2003; 2007; 2010	KEV
SQL Server	Microsoft	2000; 2005; 2008	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-2012-1856 scored CVSS 8.8: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office MSCOMCTL.OCX Remote Code Execution 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-2012-1856: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office MSCOMCTL.OCX Remote Code Execution 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

nvd.nist.gov https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-1856
securityfocus.com http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/54948
us-cert.gov http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-227A.html
docs.microsoft.com https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2012/ms12-060
oval.cisecurity.org https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A15447
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-1856