CVE-2016-7256

KEVMicrosoft Windows Open Type Font Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows font library improperly handles specially crafted embedded fonts. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could take control of the affected system.

atmfd.dll in the Windows font library in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607, and Windows Server 2016 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, aka "Open Type Font Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

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

PublishedNov 10, 2016

Last modifiedJun 17, 2026

Added to KEVMay 25, 2022

Remediation dueJun 15, 2022

References

securityfocus.com/bid/94156Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1037243Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-132PatchVendor Advisory
twitter.com/da5ch0/status/820161895269277696Broken Link
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7256US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · Critical

Actively exploited. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1594 days
CVSS: 8.8 HIGH
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 64.6% · top 1% 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.