How severe is CVE-2016-3223?

CVE-2016-3223 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-3223 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3223?

CVE-2016-3223 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3223?

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-2016-3223 published?

CVE-2016-3223 was published on 2016-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3223

CVE-2016-3223 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 21% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 21% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2016-06-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

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, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 mishandle LDAP authentication, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to gain privileges by modifying group-policy update data within a domain-controller data stream, aka "Group Policy Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3223?: 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, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 mishandle LDAP authentication, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to gain privileges by modifying group-policy update data within a domain-controller data stream, aka "Group Policy Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2016-3223?: CVE-2016-3223 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-3223 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3223?: CVE-2016-3223 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3223?: 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-2016-3223 published?: CVE-2016-3223 was published on 2016-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (10)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1511:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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