How severe is CVE-2016-3236?

CVE-2016-3236 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-3236 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 78% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3236?

CVE-2016-3236 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-2016-3236?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-3236 published?

CVE-2016-3236 was published on 2016-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3236

CVE-2016-3236 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 78% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-19.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 78% (100th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-19
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2016-06-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Web Proxy Auto Discovery (WPAD) protocol implementation in 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 mishandles proxy discovery, which allows remote attackers to redirect network traffic via unspecified vectors, aka "Windows WPAD Proxy Discovery Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3236?: The Web Proxy Auto Discovery (WPAD) protocol implementation in 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 mishandles proxy discovery, which allows remote attackers to redirect network traffic via unspecified vectors, aka "Windows WPAD Proxy Discovery Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2016-3236?: CVE-2016-3236 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-3236 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 78% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3236?: CVE-2016-3236 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-2016-3236?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-3236 published?: CVE-2016-3236 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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