How severe is CVE-2016-2542?

CVE-2016-2542 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-2016-2542 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2542?

CVE-2016-2542 primarily affects Flexera Installshield. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2542?

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-2016-2542 published?

CVE-2016-2542 was published on 2016-02-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-2542

CVE-2016-2542 is a high-severity vulnerability in Flexera Installshield 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.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (39th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Flexera Installshield
Published: 2016-02-24
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Flexera InstallShield through 2015 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory of a setup-launcher executable file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2542?: Untrusted search path vulnerability in Flexera InstallShield through 2015 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory of a setup-launcher executable file.
How severe is CVE-2016-2542?: CVE-2016-2542 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-2016-2542 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-2542?: CVE-2016-2542 primarily affects Flexera Installshield. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-2542?: 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-2016-2542 published?: CVE-2016-2542 was published on 2016-02-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:flexera:installshield:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:flexera:installshield:2015:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:flexera:installshield:2015:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*

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