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CVE-2016-3298

Microsoft Internet Explorer Messaging API Information Disclosure

6.5 MEDIUMActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 33.3%
  1. Published14 Oct 2016
  2. Added to CISA KEV24 May 2022
  3. Remediation due14 Jun 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Internet Messaging API improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could allow the attacker to test for the presence of files on disk.

Added to KEV: 24 May 2022Federal remediation due: 14 Jun 2022

Description

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and the Internet Messaging API in Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allow remote attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Affected products

Microsoft Internet Explorer10 · 11 · 9
Microsoft Windows 7all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2
Microsoft Windows Vistaall versions

Remediation

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

References

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2016-3298 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 24 May 2022.

How severe is CVE-2016-3298?

CVE-2016-3298 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, rated medium. EPSS estimates a 33.3% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2016-3298?

Affected products include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Vista.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3298?

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-2016-3298 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.

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