# CVE-2016-3298: Microsoft Internet Explorer Messaging API Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-3298-microsoft-internet-explorer-messaging-api-information-disclosure  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-05-24. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-3298 · Severity: critical · CVSS 6.5 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-05-24

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Microsoft Internet Explorer and the Windows Internet Messaging API due to improper handling of objects in memory. A remote attacker can exploit this via a crafted website to determine the existence of arbitrary files on the local disk.

Technologies: [Microsoft Edge](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/edge), [Microsoft Internet Explorer](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/internet-explorer). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-3298 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2016-3298 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 24 May 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2016-3298?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 24 May 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11; Microsoft Internet Messaging API Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-3298?** A patch was published on 2016-10-11: Microsoft released security bulletins MS16-118 and MS16-126. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2016-3298 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-3298?** Check whether you run Microsoft Edge or Microsoft Internet Explorer. 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 Internet Explorer 9 through 11
- Microsoft Internet Messaging API Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1

## Timeline

- 2016-10-11: patched: Microsoft released security bulletins MS16-118 and MS16-126.
- 2022-05-24: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2022-05-24: disclosed

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- [Microsoft Edge out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-122518-out-of-bounds-read-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Edge privilege escalation via incorrect authorization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69446-incorrect-authorization-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows)
- [Microsoft Edge use-after-free privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96203-use-after-free-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Edge heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96199-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based)
- [Microsoft Edge heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96198-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based)