Microsoft Internet Explorer Information Disclosure and Local File Existence Detection Vulnerability (CVE-2016-0162, MS16-037)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTMicrosoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11
Remote attackers can determine the existence of specific local files via crafted JavaScript code, facilitating targeted reconnaissance for secondary attacks
Apply the MS16-037 cumulative security update or transition to Microsoft Edge and restrict legacy IE mode
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Apply the MS16-037 cumulative security update. On modern Windows environments, you can verify and force the installation of the required updates using PowerShell:
# Check if the MS16-037 related hotfixes are installed
Get-HotFix -Id KB3148531, KB3148527, KB3148528
# Force install the cumulative update using the PSWindowsUpdate module
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force -Verbose
Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KB3148531 -Install -AcceptAll -AutoReboot2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
Disable Active Scripting in untrusted zones or restrict local file access via Group Policy / Registry modifications:
# Disable Active Scripting (Value 3 = Disable) in the Internet Zone (Zone 3)
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3' -Name '1400' -Value 3
# Restrict file download and local execution behaviors in the Intranet Zone (Zone 1)
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1' -Name '1201' -Value 33. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Verify the version of the core Internet Explorer rendering engine DLL (mshtml.dll) to ensure the patch has been successfully applied:
# Retrieve and display the file version of mshtml.dll
$file = 'C:\Windows\System32\mshtml.dll'
if (Test-Path $file) {
$fileVersion = (Get-Item $file).VersionInfo.FileVersion
Write-Output "Current MSHTML.dll Version: $fileVersion"
# Compare this version against the minimum patched version specified in MS16-037
} else {
Write-Warning 'mshtml.dll was not found in the standard system directory.'
}Block Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) handles error reporting and DOM exceptions when attempting to access local file resources. By abusing the 'file://' protocol or specific DOM object methods, the browser fails to properly sanitize the differences in error events or execution timing (side-channel) when a file exists versus when it does not.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker hosts a malicious website containing crafted JavaScript code and entices a user to visit the page. Once loaded, the script attempts to load local resources (e.g., 'file://C:/Program Files/.../target.exe') via elements like Image objects or XMLHttpRequests. By monitoring the 'onerror' or 'onload' event triggers and measuring response latency, the script determines whether specific software or security tools are installed on the victim's machine.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
While this vulnerability does not directly allow remote code execution (RCE), it serves as a critical reconnaissance vector. Attackers can map the victim's local environment to identify installed software and patch levels, enabling them to deploy highly targeted, high-impact secondary exploits (such as zero-days or known N-days) against the identified applications.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to determine the existence of files via crafted JavaScript code, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2016-0162)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2016-0162 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2016-0162 is rated CVSS 4.3 (MEDIUM) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 21.9%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2016-0162?
Primary impacted vendors include microsoft across internet_explorer. Scope summary: Microsoft Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11 running on supported Windows client and server operating systems
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2016-0162 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the MS16-037 cumulative security update or transition to Microsoft Edge and restrict legacy IE mode Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2016-0162
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