CVE-2016-0185

Microsoft Windows Media Center Remote Code Execution

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 69.8%

Published10 May 2016
Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
Remediation due3 May 2022

Description

Media Center in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows 8.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Media Center link (aka .mcl) file, aka "Windows Media Center Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionRequired

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 7all versions

Microsoft Windows 8.1all versions

Microsoft Windows Vistaall versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

Patch & vendor advisories

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-059

References

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-059PatchVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0185US Government Resource
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39805/Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90023Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035832Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-16-277Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2016-0185 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-0185 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021.

How severe is CVE-2016-0185?

CVE-2016-0185 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 69.8% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2016-0185?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Vista.

How do I fix CVE-2016-0185?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-0185 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

See how prioritisation works Book a demo

Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.