CVE-2016-3235
CVE-2016-3235 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Visio with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2021-11-03).
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v2: 9.3
- EPSS exploit prediction: 43% (99th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2021-11-03)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2016-4273
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2021-11-03)
- Affected product: Microsoft Visio
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Microsoft Visio 2007 SP3, Visio 2010 SP2, Visio 2013 SP1, Visio 2016, Visio Viewer 2007 SP3, and Visio Viewer 2010 mishandle library loading, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Microsoft Office OLE DLL Side Loading Vulnerability."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2016-3235?
- Microsoft Visio 2007 SP3, Visio 2010 SP2, Visio 2013 SP1, Visio 2016, Visio Viewer 2007 SP3, and Visio Viewer 2010 mishandle library loading, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Microsoft Office OLE DLL Side Loading Vulnerability."
- How severe is CVE-2016-3235?
- CVE-2016-3235 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2016-3235 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2016-3235 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2021-11-03, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2016-3235?
- CVE-2016-3235 primarily affects Microsoft Visio. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2016-3235?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2016-3235 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2016-3235 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2016-4273. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2021-11-03).
- When was CVE-2016-3235 published?
- CVE-2016-3235 was published on 2016-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137490/Microsoft-Visio-DLL-Hijacking.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Jun/32
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/538685/100/0/threaded
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036093
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-070
- https://www.securify.nl/advisory/SFY20150804/microsoft_visio_multiple_dll_side_loading_vulnerabilities.html
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3235
Affected products (6)
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visio:2007:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visio:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visio:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visio:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visio_viewer:2007:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visio_viewer:2010:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio
- CVE-2003-0347 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Heap-based buffer overflow in VBE.DLL and VBE6.DLL of Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) SDK 5.0 through 6.3…
- CVE-2015-2503 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Microsoft Access 2007 SP3, Excel 2007 SP3, InfoPath 2007 SP3, OneNote 2007 SP3, PowerPoint 2007 SP3, Project 2007 SP3,…
- CVE-2015-2557 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Buffer overflow in Microsoft Visio 2007 SP3 and 2010 SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted…
- CVE-2013-0079 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Visio file that…
- CVE-2012-1888 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Buffer overflow in Microsoft Visio 2010 SP1 and Visio Viewer 2010 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code…
- CVE-2011-1979 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Microsoft Visio 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP2 does not properly validate objects in memory during Visio file parsing, which…