Evidence dossier
CVE-2021-40444
Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV since Nov 3, 2021). microsoft reports CVSS 3.1 8.8. Severity assessments differ within at least one CVSS version. EPSS estimates 97.5% exploit likelihood as of Aug 26, 2026.
As of Aug 27, 2026
Normalized restatement
<p>Microsoft is investigating reports of a remote code execution vulnerability in MSHTML that affects Microsoft Windows. Microsoft is aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability by using specially-crafted Microsoft Office documents.</p> <p>An attacker could craft a malicious ActiveX control to be used by a Microsoft Office document that hosts the browser rendering engine. The attacker would then have to convince the user to open the malicious document. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.</p> <p>Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint both provide detection and protections for the known vulnerability. Customers should keep antimalware products up to date. Customers who utilize automatic updates do not need to take additional action. Enterprise customers who manage updates should select the detection build 1.349.22.0 or newer and deploy it across their environments. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alerts will be displayed as: “Suspicious Cpl File Execution”.</p> <p>Upon completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action to help protect our customers. This may include providing a security update through our monthly release process or providing an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs.</p> <p>Please see the <strong>Mitigations</strong> and <strong>Workaround</strong> sections for important information about steps you can take to protect your system from this vulnerability.</p> <p><strong>UPDATE</strong> September 14, 2021: Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Please see the Security Updates table for the applicable update for your system. We recommend that you install these updates immediately. Please see the FAQ for important information about which updates are applicable to your system.</p>
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Published
- Sep 15, 2021
- Updated
- Mar 11, 2026
- Evidence coverage
- 78%
Evidence chronology
What was known when
- Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCACISA-ADPOriginal evidence ↗
Record text: CISA ADP Vulnrichment
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
container- Value
- CISA ADP Vulnrichment
- Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCACVE ProgramOriginal evidence ↗
Record text: CVE Program Container
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
container- Value
- CVE Program Container
- Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAmicrosoftOriginal evidence ↗
Record text: Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
container- Value
- Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- Source dateFirst observed by CASCACISA KEVOriginal evidence ↗
Exploitation cataloged: Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
observed_exploitation- Value
- Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- Source dateFirst observed by CASCAFIRST EPSSOriginal evidence ↗
EPSS score: 97.45% probability · 99.9th percentile
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
model_probability- Value
- Probability 0.974500000000; percentile 0.998950000000
Assessments differ
Values are shown separately by source and CVSS version.
CISA KEV · catalog date Nov 3, 2021 · first observed Jul 19, 2026
FIRST EPSS · score date Aug 26, 2026 · 99.9th percentile · first observed Aug 26, 2026
microsoft · CVSS 3.1 · first observed Jul 19, 2026 · values shown separately below
Evidence detail
Source limits and decisions
Why each evidence state has this value
casca-unknown-reasons-v1Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.
- Revision
- evidence-policy-v1.1.0
- Cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
- Resolution
- None
Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.
- Revision
- evidence-policy-v1.1.0
- Cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
- Resolution
- None
Eligible assertions materially conflict and remain visible side by side.
- Revision
- casca-direct-cvss-eligibility-v1
- Cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
- Resolution
- Resolve conflict
The cited source assertion is retained while canonical product linkage remains open.
- Revision
- casca-factor-d-obligations-v1
- Cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
- Resolution
- Resolve identity
Source comparison
Who said what
CISA ADP Vulnrichment
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
container- Value
- CISA ADP Vulnrichment
CVE Program Container
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
container- Value
- CVE Program Container
Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
container- Value
- Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
observed_exploitation- Value
- Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
97.45% probability · 99.9th percentile
Inspect raw assertion
- Field
model_probability- Value
- Probability 0.974500000000; percentile 0.998950000000
Applicability
Cited product scope
Grouped from 1 configuration nodes in this exact snapshot. Visual grouping is navigational; asset exposure and root cause require cited evidence.
Identity source boundaries
- Cpe dictionary1,775,266 records · observed through 2026-07-21T06:45:29.809Z
27d65b0f-b718-4b4f-bb79-c47c68d09dfa - Cpe match643,502 records · observed through 2026-07-21T08:13:17.697Z
955dae73-7302-438b-aee1-058d7cc5d48e
43 scope groups
Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.10240.19060", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.14393.4651", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.17763.2183", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.18363.1801", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.19041.1237", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.19042.1237", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.19043.1237", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "6.1.7601.25712", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "6.1.7601.26221", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "6.1.7601.25712", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "6.1.7601.26221", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.3.0", "lessThan": "6.3.9600.20120", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.3.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "6.1.7601.25712", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.1.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "6.1.7601.25712", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "6.0.6003.21218", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "6.0.6003.21218", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "6.0.6003.21218", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.0.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.2.0", "lessThan": "6.2.9200.23462", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.2.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.3.0", "lessThan": "6.3.9600.20120", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.3.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.3.0", "lessThan": "6.3.9600.20120", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.3.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "6.2.0", "lessThan": "6.2.9200.23462", "versionType": "custom"}, {"status": "affected", "version": "6.2.0", "lessThan": "1.001", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.14393.4651", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.14393.4651", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.17763.2183", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.17763.2183", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.20348.230", "versionType": "custom"}]Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Inspect raw assertion
[{"status": "affected", "version": "10.0.0", "lessThan": "10.0.19041.1237", "versionType": "custom"}]Affected-product evidence
Accepted scope and product mapping
17 canonical links · 1 source-reported links
vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-02e254d111ce604757a15650ef469f4f8365d6247da82ce3ac2695c3cfc7dc5f
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
fc343d63-7b27-449a-847f-3d359e992e87vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-076c7e47c78d9425d54dea0b063ed7cd79e5f9f0bfdb3c9153b8aec4e71a7ad9
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
28ac04a0-0019-4333-8ffb-481a3f73d05cvendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-217b1ab3d25f361a639824f86753d418b35aa2a816ee370bb71b5d1dd883d87a
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 2
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
63d5b012-33cf-4f31-9049-0a3eb4ddf6c39681c79d-5ad6-4dec-95d0-d6a37e9aecd5vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-25a2932c0bbcb648f7e391c8b9d34c734e5085444c03c1c206b9d4c4baa80b25
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
fd3cabd4-867d-400a-aaef-ca0f00dc9cbcvendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-457c0c3b89fb1cf896e8491223eac8b0cb1ea61ce3174f915e4fe1032759d5a2
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
55f7f5d3-0bc7-4626-a28f-b6a16a5a406evendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-55e90faed8848f3d316cf702d119e83086b6dc5a963d9947a7df1c589f50346d
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
e7908ec2-28a2-44c4-990c-75b33240a102vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-571f6df0fa50d71be9551414060ed8bfcdb500437871cf9595b7fa6b034cecbd
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
a51e2349-bc54-4273-8658-a7470ed8285bvendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-5a80416e92fed0cddbb3d4f3840218b448dee11159824ad25a0353da566963fe
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 2
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
bf6f211f-65c7-4632-9b6c-d03bcedfaa07dd3c5f9d-a034-4dfa-bb22-c0ac99f48e79vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-740fec3e9838b5eabe76ebe27e4d0d7a4cb2e0ef7e13923300d3d0b51e3fce1c
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
7419f854-88d2-4a41-bf8a-1d7c73b8a912vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-7e46de82012029583622f69d79b86bc210b5bd25b8cb3bb4468936702b23c4b0
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
80a9b90d-d2fe-420a-83c4-aa0c7b9aae0avendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-9851bd571b8ab08bca589cd73710badfef557d036f0fb7707f694f1c9f597cb4
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
4faba7d4-9f82-4ea0-aa62-36ea1af21415vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-9b245936275be71b526838fc72ea633d195b35bdd9dfc31bb6df51e7700edecc
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
7ddc3037-8297-47a1-a204-9c037fe1264evendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-a3084138383423221f61594e86f5b295e5e254acd7ae5284f45e0877a084db43
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
a5dfe554-ef30-4da7-87c1-f9c2f850f8cfvendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-d196d31962e613955a91e33e795c22dcfa7bf25173abebaca616a6350cce9ce1
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
994a17b0-fa4e-4a54-a8ab-8213517ce743vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-e0c6c3f5c5e95b5b83fbbf719a7de2471749e1ca250bebf19bc7898a937a00ed
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
390e4df8-0f67-4041-8c1f-508494a0eb09vendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-ef5324dcc791e4e872d6c2be0aefa1d7687ca82c3b4ac5d1f72c76cce8395218
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
5833ee07-846d-48ad-9781-52197229bc0fvendor-01299a5a765aea70faa05f2d06e0c26a5d498fd34553e868d89e8a43b31864db · product-f20a05098a41a238f96b56b817d0482887bb39ad40620198bbe05da10ee02ffc
- Source class
- Nvd cpe vulnerable target
- Assertions
- 1
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
7ca52598-eba0-4f8c-b135-238f5727122fCanonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.
Vendor specified only by source · Product specified only by source
- Source class
- Direct cve affected
- Assertions
- 26
- Mapping revision
- cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
- Observed cutoff
- Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
0b343991-9a0e-4431-a828-36b8e7ad70b4223de444-4ec1-43d4-987e-067cdb7390b826862694-8be8-4acb-97e7-87097852048233ed22e3-daf9-4e8b-ae0e-1e28f632d1714a029795-21f9-4861-ac9b-522db6d1f7144d144408-7992-45ed-8e7e-e86bb36fa53b5e891db4-b951-4de1-a880-1eae030a753362088969-d626-450d-97b8-75ecf0fbc09485d76490-9708-4fa9-b964-0690be4b34c1903ab273-721c-4bd6-9a8e-51b27417fbd3999ebdbe-e8b7-40fe-92c0-02090fa053ff99fcbf7d-0274-4ac7-a568-f2a2255f5d9c9e7f40af-a9ef-4961-856a-3815ca2248e2a196900f-14b7-402c-8b07-c3ab14b75178b752522f-f4ec-4395-ad8d-4fd62b2d021ac1593630-abfa-40e9-9e24-7ddfec601bc7caaebe83-bbd0-4341-808d-b6066ec74140ce2364e7-051f-4c3c-b732-8e4f55c9b9fdcfcc3342-416e-43e5-b3dd-40ead703d92acfe2babe-bb58-4e03-800f-d18450ec392dd125ea42-bc0a-47ae-8690-7e881c42c53be673b2c3-d61a-4f23-9292-c107e124ec00eafdee17-785c-4086-a417-d602e8adeaadeb119b16-4c07-40ee-acbd-e832296352b7efc3a989-c3e1-413e-ae37-856e7c1ad957fe2aff4e-7e16-4f3c-9278-a93eaf804911Assessments
CVSS by origin
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:PCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:LCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:L/E:P/RL:O/RC:CDirect CVE/CNA normalized decisions
microsoft
CVSS 3.1 · Primary · Original assertion · rank 1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:L/E:P/RL:O/RC:C- Validation
- Valid match
- Recomputed
- 8.8
- Decision reason
- Evidence supported
- Policy
- casca-direct-cvss-eligibility-v1
Assessments are retained side by side under closed precedence. Cascade never averages CVSS.
Evidence boundaries
- KEV membership is authoritative for the catalog, not proof of exposure in any environment.
- EPSS is a dated model probability and not an individual-environment prediction.
- Affected or fixed status applies only to the exact cited product and version scope; remaining scope stays source-scoped.
- NVD-carried upstream facts remain derivative; independent corroboration requires a separately authored source.
- Only NVD metrics validated under the generation-bound calculator are Public Priority eligible; direct CVE record metrics remain display-only.
- NVD CVSS source eligibility is closed: NVD-authored, exact record-source, or registered same-CVE container origin; unmapped sources remain display-only.
- Core replay supports the active and immediately prior generation; retrospective valid-at replay is deferred.
- OSV aggregation and OSV-converted NVD material are not independent corroboration.
- Red Hat facts are vendor assertions for the exact supplied products.
- Nonmembership and not-yet-observed states are not proof of safety.