CVE-2016-3298

KEVMicrosoft Internet Explorer Messaging API Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Description

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.

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

PublishedOct 14, 2016

Last modifiedJun 17, 2026

Added to KEVMay 24, 2022

Remediation dueJun 14, 2022

References

securityfocus.com/bid/93392Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1036992Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-118PatchVendor Advisory
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-126PatchVendor Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3298US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · High

Actively exploited. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1596 days
CVSS: 6.5 MEDIUM
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 33.3% · top 2% of all CVEs
Weakness: NVD-CWE-noinfo
Attack vector: Network, remotely reachable

Recommended actions

1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.

Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.