Medium severity · published May 14, 2026
CVE-2026-42897
Microsoft Exchange Server Spoofing Vulnerability
In wildKEV
6.1
CVSS
70.7%
EPSS
Yes
On KEV
Description
Improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('cross-site scripting') in Microsoft Exchange Server allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
Required
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
None
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)70.7% · higher than 99% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildYes
CISA KEVListed May 15, 2026
Federal remediation dueMay 29, 2026
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
ES
Exchange Server · Microsoft
2016; 2016; 2016; 2016; 2016; 2016; +33 more · source: NVD
ME
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 23 · Microsoft
15.01.0.0 before 15.01.2507.069 · source: vendor
ME
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 14 · Microsoft
15.02.0.0 before 15.02.1544.041 · source: vendor
ME
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 15 · Microsoft
15.02.0.0 before 15.02.1748.046 · source: vendor
ME
Microsoft Exchange Server Subscription Edition RTM · Microsoft
15.02.0.0 before 15.02.2562.043 · source: vendor
ES
Exchange Server Subscription Edition · Microsoft
before 15.02.2562.043 · source: NVD
MI
Microsoft · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: KEV
In the news
VulnerabilityHigh
Laundry Bear’s new Microsoft Exchange attack triggers on email open (CVE-2026-42897)
Russia-affiliated cyber espionage group Laundry Bear (aka Void Blizzard, aka TA488) is exploiting CVE-2026-42897, a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange, to target US and European government entities and a variety of private sector organizations via email. The warning comes from Proofpoint, who detected emails carrying the concealed exploit hitting inboxes. “The subject lines and lures are banal, likely so the targeted user opens and skims the message, but dismisses the message as junk without … More → The post Laundry Bear’s new Microsoft Exchange attack triggers on email open (CVE-2026-42897) appeared first on Help Net Security .
Jul 30, 2026·Help Net Security
VulnerabilityCritical
Microsoft Exchange Zero-Day Under Attack, No Patch Available
CVE-2026-42897 stems from a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability and can allow an attacker to compromise Outlook Web Access (OWA) mailboxes.
May 18, 2026·Dark Reading
VulnerabilityHigh
U.S. CISA adds a flaw in Microsoft Exchange Server to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) adds a flaw in Microsoft Exchange Server to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added a flaw in Microsoft Exchange Server, tracked as CVE-2026-42897 (CVSS score of 8.1), to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. This week, Microsoft warned that threat actors are […]
May 16, 2026·Security Affairs
VulnerabilityHigh
CVE-2026-42897: Microsoft confirms active exploitation of Exchange Server zero-day
Microsoft warned that attackers are exploiting a new Exchange Server zero-day vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-42897, in the wild. Microsoft warned that threat actors are actively exploiting a new Exchange Server zero-day vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-42897 (CVSS score 8.1). The vulnerability is an improper neutralization of input during web page generation (‘cross-site scripting’) in Microsoft Exchange […]
May 15, 2026·Security Affairs
VulnerabilityHigh
CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability to Catalog
CISA has added one new vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog , based on evidence of active exploitation. CVE-2026-42897 Microsoft Exchange Server Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability This type of vulnerability is a frequent attack vector for malicious cyber actors and poses significant risks to the federal enterprise. Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01: Reducing the Significant Risk of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities established the KEV Catalog as a living list of known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) that carry significant risk to the federal enterprise. BOD 22-01 requires Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to remediate identified vulnerabilities by the due date to protect FCEB networks against active threats. See the BOD 22-01 Fact Sheet for more information. Although BOD 22-01 only applies to FCEB agencies, CISA strongly urges all organizations to reduce their exposure to cyberattacks by prioritizing timely remediation of KEV Catalog vulnerabilities as part of their vulnerability management practice. CISA will continue to add vulnerabilities to the catalog that meet the specified criteria . 
May 15, 2026·CISA Advisories
VulnerabilityCritical
Unpatched Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerability exploited (CVE-2026-42897)
A critical cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability (CVE-2026-42897) in Microsoft Exchange Server is being exploited by attackers, Microsoft warned on Thursday. A permanent fix is still in the works. In the meantime, Microsoft provided temporary mitigations. About CVE-2026-42897 CVE-2026-42897 affects on-premises versions of Microsoft Exchange Server: Subscription Edition RTM, 2019, and 2016. Exchange Online is not affected. Flagged by an anonymous researcher, the vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network. “An attacker … More → The post Unpatched Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerability exploited (CVE-2026-42897) appeared first on Help Net Security .
May 15, 2026·Help Net Security
Affected product
ES
Exchange Server
Microsoft
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