How severe is CVE-2016-3255?

CVE-2016-3255 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2016-3255 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 25% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3255?

CVE-2016-3255 primarily affects Microsoft .net Framework. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3255?

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-2016-3255 published?

CVE-2016-3255 was published on 2016-07-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3255

CVE-2016-3255 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft .net Framework with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 25% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-200.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 25% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-200
Affected product: Microsoft .net Framework
Published: 2016-07-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via XML data containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue, aka ".NET Information Disclosure Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3255?: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via XML data containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue, aka ".NET Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2016-3255?: CVE-2016-3255 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2016-3255 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 25% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3255?: CVE-2016-3255 primarily affects Microsoft .net Framework. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3255?: 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-2016-3255 published?: CVE-2016-3255 was published on 2016-07-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:2.0:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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