CVE-2025-29977: 
vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-29977 is a Remote Code Execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft Excel, disclosed as part of Microsoft's May 2025 Patch Tuesday security updates. The vulnerability was initially reported on May 13, 2025, and affects various versions of Microsoft Excel and Office products, including Excel 2016, Office 2019, Microsoft 365 Apps, and Office Long Term Servicing Channel versions (NVD, Wiz).

The vulnerability is classified as a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH). The attack vector is local (AV:L) with low attack complexity (AC:L), requires no privileges (PR:N), and needs user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U) with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H) (NVD).

If successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user through specially crafted Excel files. This could lead to complete system compromise at the user's privilege level (Wiz).

Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability as part of the May 2025 Patch Tuesday. Users and administrators are strongly recommended to apply these updates immediately through Windows Update or enterprise management tools. The updates are available through Microsoft Update, Microsoft Update Catalog, and as standalone packages through the Microsoft Download Center (Microsoft Support).