CVE-2016-10717
CVE-2016-10717 is a high-severity vulnerability in Malwarebytes Malwarebytes Anti-malware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-254.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v2: 4.6
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (61st percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-254
- Affected product: Malwarebytes Malwarebytes Anti-malware
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A vulnerability in the encryption and permission implementation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware consumer version 2.2.1 and prior (fixed in 3.0.4) allows an attacker to take control of the whitelisting feature (exclusions.dat under %SYSTEMDRIVE%\ProgramData) to permit execution of unauthorized applications including malware and malicious websites. Files blacklisted by Malwarebytes Malware Protect can be executed, and domains blacklisted by Malwarebytes Web Protect can be reached through HTTP.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2016-10717?
- A vulnerability in the encryption and permission implementation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware consumer version 2.2.1 and prior (fixed in 3.0.4) allows an attacker to take control of the whitelisting feature (exclusions.dat under %SYSTEMDRIVE%\ProgramData) to permit execution of unauthorized applications including malware and malicious websites. Files blacklisted by Malwarebytes Malware Protect can be executed, and domains blacklisted by Malwarebytes Web Protect can be reached through HTTP.
- How severe is CVE-2016-10717?
- CVE-2016-10717 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2016-10717 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2016-10717?
- CVE-2016-10717 affects Malwarebytes Malwarebytes Anti-malware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2016-10717?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2016-10717 published?
- CVE-2016-10717 was published on 2018-03-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.securitytube.net/video/16690
- https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/158251-malwarebytes-hall-of-fame/
- https://github.com/mspaling/mbam-exclusions-poc-
- https://github.com/mspaling/mbam-exclusions-poc-/blob/master/mbam-whitelist-poc.txt
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF5ic5nOoUY
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:malwarebytes:malwarebytes_anti-malware:2.2.1:*:*:*:consumer:*:*:*
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