CVE-2016-3393
Microsoft Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2016-3393 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) component caused by improper handling of objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could take complete control of the affected Windows system. The flaw can be triggered through specially crafted content such as malicious web pages or documents that leverage the GDI rendering engine. CISA has listed CVE-2016-3393 in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild, and its EPSS percentile of 97.3% indicates a very high probability of exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows vista | - |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93377(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036988(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-120(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3393(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
No specific CWE has been assigned to CVE-2016-3393 in the NVD database. The vulnerability involves improper handling of objects in memory within the Windows GDI component. When the GDI component processes specially crafted graphical content, it mishandles memory objects, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This weakness class relates to memory safety issues in graphics processing.
Learn more: CWE Overview
Impact Analysis
CVE-2016-3393 allows remote code execution through the Windows GDI component, enabling an attacker to take full control of an affected system. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through specially crafted web pages or documents, making it accessible without physical access to the target. Confidentiality (High): Successful exploitation grants the attacker access to all data on the system, including sensitive files, credentials, and user information. Integrity (High): Complete system control allows the attacker to install malware, modify system files, create new user accounts, and alter security settings. Availability (High): The attacker can deploy ransomware, disrupt system operations, or render the system inoperable. With an EPSS percentile of 97.3%, this vulnerability has a very high probability of being actively exploited, making prompt patching essential for all affected Windows systems.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2016-3393 by including it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a remediation deadline of June 15, 2022. The EPSS percentile of 97.3% indicates a very high likelihood of exploitation activity. As a GDI memory corruption vulnerability, CVE-2016-3393 can be delivered through multiple vectors including malicious web pages, email attachments containing crafted graphical content, and documents that trigger GDI rendering, making it a versatile tool for attackers in both targeted and opportunistic campaigns.
Remediation
- Apply Microsoft security updates per vendor instructions as required by the CISA KEV catalog. Install the relevant Microsoft security bulletin patches that specifically address CVE-2016-3393 in the Windows GDI component.
- Ensure all Windows systems are running supported, up-to-date versions. Systems running Windows versions that no longer receive security updates should be upgraded to a supported version that includes protections against this and similar GDI vulnerabilities.
- Deploy Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) or Windows Defender Exploit Guard to enable exploit mitigations such as DEP, ASLR, and mandatory ASLR, which significantly increase the difficulty of exploiting memory corruption vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-3393.
- Implement web content filtering and email security to block malicious content that could trigger the GDI vulnerability. Configure browsers with restrictive security policies and use email gateways that scan for malicious graphical content.
- Monitor endpoints for suspicious GDI-related activity including unusual process behavior stemming from document rendering or web browsing, unexpected child processes from Office applications or browsers, and crash dumps that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Technical Details
CVE-2016-3393 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) component. The GDI is a core Windows subsystem responsible for rendering graphical objects (fonts, shapes, bitmaps) and is used by virtually all Windows applications that display graphical content. The vulnerability occurs when the GDI component improperly handles objects in memory during the rendering of specially crafted graphical content. This improper memory handling can corrupt critical data structures, allowing an attacker to redirect code execution to attacker-controlled memory. The attack can be delivered through any vector that triggers GDI rendering, including web pages viewed in a browser, documents opened in Office applications, or image files processed by the system. Because GDI operates at a low level within the Windows graphics stack, successful exploitation typically results in code execution with the privileges of the application that triggered the rendering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2016-3393 being actively exploited?
Yes, CVE-2016-3393 is actively exploited. CISA has confirmed its inclusion in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of June 15, 2022. The EPSS percentile of 97.3% further confirms a very high probability of exploitation activity.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3393?
CVE-2016-3393 affects Microsoft Windows through the GDI (Graphics Device Interface) component. Multiple Windows versions are affected. Organizations should consult the Microsoft security bulletin for specific version and configuration details.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3393?
Apply Microsoft security updates that address this vulnerability. Ensure Windows systems are running supported versions with the latest patches. As additional mitigations, enable exploit protections (EMET or Exploit Guard), implement web content filtering, and monitor for suspicious GDI-related activity on endpoints.
How severe is CVE-2016-3393?
CVE-2016-3393 is a remote code execution vulnerability with an EPSS percentile of 97.3%, indicating a very high exploitation probability. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to take complete control of the affected Windows system, making it a critical priority for patching.
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