LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice Flaw Enables Remote Code Execution via Malicious Calc Tables Without Macro Warnings

Researchers have demonstrated an attack against LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice users that executes arbitrary Java code simply by opening a malicious spreadsheet, without requiring macro permissions or triggering any security prompts. The vulnerability requires Java support to be enabled in the office suite and exploits legitimate features in the Calc component that automatically fetch data from external database sources. When a crafted document is opened, Calc loads a linked database file that references a malicious Java driver, allowing the attacker’s code to run inside the office process. LibreOffice has already patched the issue tracked as CVE-2026-63277 with the release of versions 26.2.5 and 26.8.0 on October 5, while Apache OpenOffice remains vulnerable up to version 4.1.16 under CVE-2026-59265 with a fix expected in 4.1.17. The attack chain works on both Windows and Linux and bypasses macro protections entirely because no user consent dialog appears. Although only a proof-of-concept exploit that launches the calculator has been published so far, the same technique can execute any Java payload. Users of OpenOffice are advised to disable Java or avoid untrusted files until the patch is available.

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Security researchers have uncovered a vulnerability in LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code simply by tricking users into opening a malicious spreadsheet file.

The attack does not rely on macros and therefore bypasses the usual security warnings that appear when macros are present. The only prerequisite is that Java support must be enabled inside the office suite.

The flaw stems from the interaction between two legitimate features. LibreOffice Calc can automatically refresh cell ranges from an external database source. When a specially crafted document is opened, the application loads the referenced database file, which in turn points to a Java driver supplied by the attacker. This driver executes inside the office process, granting the attacker full code execution capabilities.

LibreOffice addressed the issue, tracked as CVE-2026-63277, by releasing versions 26.2.5 and 26.8.0 on 5 October. Users are strongly encouraged to update immediately.

Apache OpenOffice is affected by a similar vulnerability, CVE-2026-59265, in all versions up to and including 4.1.16. A patch is planned for version 4.1.17, which is still undergoing testing. Until the update is released, OpenOffice users should either disable Java in the application settings or refrain from opening untrusted spreadsheet files.

The researchers demonstrated the attack by launching the system calculator, confirming remote code execution. The same method can be used to run any Java payload. The issue was confirmed on both Windows and Linux. No evidence of active exploitation in the wild has been observed yet.

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