# CVE-2016-0185: Microsoft Windows Media Center Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-0185-microsoft-windows-media-center-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-0185 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

Microsoft Windows Media Center contains a remote code execution vulnerability when processing specially crafted Media Center link (.mcl) files. An attacker can execute arbitrary code if a user opens a malicious .mcl file that references malicious code.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-0185 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2016-0185 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2016-0185?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Microsoft Windows 7 SP1; Microsoft Windows 8.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-0185?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2016-0185 attacked?** It is attacked with local access or over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-0185?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Vista SP2
- Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
- Microsoft Windows 8.1

## Timeline

- 2016-05-10: disclosed: Initial disclosure and Microsoft security bulletin MS16-059 published.
- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2021-11-03: exploited: Confirmed as exploited in the wild.

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