The Problem (Q-score 2, ranked #72nd of 95 in the VBA Core archive)
The scenario as originally posted in 2010
Is there any way that I can embed a .exe file in a .pdf, .doc, .xls, or .ppt file in such a way that upon opening the containing file, the document processor will run the .exe automatically without the user intentionally executing it?
Why community consensus is tight on this one
Across 95 VBA Core entries in the archive, the accepted answer here holds solid answer (above median) status — meaning voters are unusually aligned on the right fix.
The Verified Solution — solid answer (above median) (+10)
Advisory answer — community consensus with reference links
Note: the verified answer below is a reference / advisory response rather than a copy-ready snippet.
Yes, this is totally possible and pretty easy to accomplish. You can use one of the many Adobe Acrobat Exploits in the Metasploit framework. Next you can use a download+exec shellcode to download and execute your payload, err I mean “.exe”.
When to Use It — vintage (14+ years old, pre-2013)
Ranked #72nd in its category — specialized fit
This pattern sits in the 92% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the VBA Core archive for a higher-consensus alternative.
What changed between 2010 and 2026
The answer is 16 years old. The VBA Core object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.