Is CVE-2016-3298 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on May 24, 2022.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2016-3298?

CVE-2016-3298 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5 (MEDIUM).

CVE-2016-3298

MEDIUM · CVSS 6.5CISA KEV: actively exploitedEPSS 33.3%EU EUVD: exploited

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."

Key facts

CVSS score: 6.5 (v3.1)
Severity: MEDIUM
CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS score: 33.3% (98th percentile)
In CISA KEV: Yes, added May 24, 2022
In EU EUVD: Yes (EUVD-2016-4330)
Published: October 14, 2016
NVD last modified: June 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Microsoft Internet Explorer Messaging API Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Added to the KEV catalog on May 24, 2022; federal remediation due June 14, 2022.

EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD)

This vulnerability is also tracked by ENISA as EUVD-2016-4330 in the EU Vulnerability Database. ENISA flags it as known exploited. Last updated in EUVD on October 21, 2025.

View on the EU Vulnerability Database

Affected products

microsoft / internet explorer
microsoft / internet explorer
microsoft / internet explorer
microsoft / windows 10 1507
microsoft / windows 10 1511
microsoft / windows 10 1607
microsoft / windows 7
microsoft / windows 8.1
microsoft / windows rt 8.1
microsoft / windows server 2008
microsoft / windows server 2008
microsoft / windows server 2008
microsoft / windows server 2012
microsoft / windows server 2012
microsoft / windows vista

Certified products that may be affected

9 FIPS 140 or Common Criteria certified products, from automated matching by sec-certs.org.

Windows 7 BitLocker™ Drive Encryption - Microsoft Corporation - FIPS 140 1332 - historical
Microsoft Windows 7 Kernel Mode Cryptographic Primitives Library (cng.sys) - Microsoft Corporation - FIPS 140 1328 - historical
Windows Vista Enhanced Cryptographic Provider (RSAENH) - Microsoft Corporation - FIPS 140 1002 - historical
Windows Vista Enhanced DSS and Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provider (DSSENH) - Microsoft Corporation - FIPS 140 1003 - historical
Windows Vista Boot Manager (bootmgr) - Microsoft Corporation - FIPS 140 978 - historical

See all 9 in the Security Certifications Explorer.

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93392(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036992(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-118(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-126(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3298(US Government Resource)

Last updated September 17, 2026 · Source: NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST.org EPSS

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