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Exploited in the wildComputers & everyday appsCould reach you

CVE-2016-3393 Microsoft Windows: login or permission bypass

In plain words: A door that should be locked is not: part of the system can be reached without a valid login or permission. The attacker gets in as a user or administrator without knowing a password.

Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jun 15, 2022

What to do

  1. Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
  2. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
  3. Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
  4. Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.

Who is affected

Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.

The details

Official name
Microsoft Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Product
Microsoft Windows
CISA description
A remote code execution vulnerability exists due to the way the Windows GDI component handles objects in the memory. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could take control of the affected system.
Type of flaw
Login or permission bypass (CWE-284)
Confirmed exploited
May 25, 2022
US federal patch deadline
Jun 15, 2022

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Answering about CVE-2016-3393 ·

Questions about CVE-2016-3393

Is CVE-2016-3393 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2016-3393 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on May 25, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3393?

Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.

Am I affected by CVE-2016-3393?

Only if you use Microsoft Windows. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

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