CVE-2016-3298 Microsoft Internet Explorer: information leak
In plain words: The program reveals information it should keep private. Leaked secrets — tokens, passwords or memory contents — that help a bigger attack.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jun 14, 2022
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Internet Explorer. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Let the browser auto-update and relaunch it when it asks — the fix is not active until you do.
- Keep extensions to a minimum and remove ones you do not recognise.
- Stop using Internet Explorer and any browser that no longer gets updates.
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: A malicious or hacked website can be enough. Browser bugs are often the first step in a longer attack on the whole computer or phone.
The details
- Official name
- Microsoft Internet Explorer Messaging API Information Disclosure Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- CISA 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.
- Type of flaw
- Information leak (CWE-200)
- Confirmed exploited
- May 24, 2022
- US federal patch deadline
- Jun 14, 2022
Ask Cleus about it
Ask about a vulnerability, an update, a weird message, or the news. Plain-word answers, free, no account.
Answering about CVE-2016-3298 ·
Questions about CVE-2016-3298
Is CVE-2016-3298 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2016-3298 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on May 24, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3298?
Install Microsoft's security update for Internet Explorer. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Let the browser auto-update and relaunch it when it asks — the fix is not active until you do.
Am I affected by CVE-2016-3298?
Only if you use Microsoft Internet Explorer. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.