How severe is CVE-2016-3298?

CVE-2016-3298 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2016-3298 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-05-24, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3298?

CVE-2016-3298 primarily affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3298?

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-2016-3298 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2016-4330. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-05-24).

When was CVE-2016-3298 published?

CVE-2016-3298 was published on 2016-10-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3298

CVE-2016-3298 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2022-05-24).

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.5)
CVSS v2: 2.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 33% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-05-24)
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2016-4330
EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-05-24)
Affected product: Microsoft Internet Explorer
Published: 2016-10-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and the Internet Messaging API in Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allow remote attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3298?: Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and the Internet Messaging API in Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allow remote attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2016-3298?: CVE-2016-3298 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2016-3298 being actively exploited?: Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-05-24, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3298?: CVE-2016-3298 primarily affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3298?: 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-2016-3298 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2016-4330. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-05-24).
When was CVE-2016-3298 published?: CVE-2016-3298 was published on 2016-10-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:11:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:itanium:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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