Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-126 - Moderate

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Security Update for Microsoft Internet Messaging API (3196067)

Published: October 11, 2016 | Updated: December 13, 2016

Version: 2.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Internet Messaging API improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could test for the presence of files on disk.

The security update affects Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows Sever 2008 R2 and is rated moderate on client and low on server operating systems. Note that you must install two updates to be protected from the vulnerability discussed in this bulletin: The update in this bulletin, and the update in MS16-118. See Update FAQ section below for more information.

The update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way the Microsoft Internet Messaging API handles objects in memory. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Affected Software and Vulnerability Information section.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3196067.

Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

The severity ratings indicated for each affected software assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin’s release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the October bulletin summary.

**Operating System** [**Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability – CVE-2016-3298**](http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=cve-2016-3298) **Updates Replaced**\*
**Windows Vista**
[Windows Vista Service Pack 2](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=edb5aa4c-a8bf-405c-977f-a0e67c17aaa3) (3193515) **Moderate**  Information Disclosure None
[Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=60ee3508-953c-4c5e-92d8-1de2b1501473) (3193515) **Moderate**  Information Disclosure None
**Windows Server 2008**
[Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=b32c11d5-71f9-4d57-b4da-84dc5a69c42f) (3193515) **Low**  Information Disclosure None
[Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=6b1d626b-af0c-4e91-b6cf-dbb51f7e1d3d) (3193515) **Low**  Information Disclosure None
[Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=9cf5705d-dace-49c1-a29c-eb594418e09a) (3193515) **Low**  Information Disclosure None
**Windows 7**
[Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=560a16c3-02f3-4d88-8333-faae9b4f573c) (3192391) Security Only[1] **Moderate**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=d188d773-ee20-4a07-aef4-061cf175889c) (3185330) Monthly Roll-Up[1] **Moderate**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=3bcc461d-748f-4f00-a3ec-458cbcd70bd3) (3192391) Security Only[1] **Moderate**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=a037fccf-ec28-49ca-b97d-690cad03bebf) (3185330) Monthly Roll-Up [1] **Moderate**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
**Windows Server 2008 R2**
[Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=ba08e1ce-fa47-4ac9-b5a8-00771c89b3c1) (3192391) Security Only[1] **Low**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=6a2f510a-3c32-441d-8d94-754e8faacfff) (3185330) Monthly Roll-Up [1] **Low**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=a82a5df6-f34e-4d86-bd27-e9ce591c3103) (3192391) Security Only[1] **Low**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?familyid=347fd4d8-0791-422c-ba54-6449b586c255) (3185330) Monthly Roll-Up [1] **Low**  Information Disclosure 3175024 in [MS16-111](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=825142)
[1]Beginning with the October 2016 release, Microsoft is changing the update servicing model for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, please see this [Microsoft TechNet article](https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/).

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the PackageDetails tab).

Update FAQ

In addition to installing this update are there any further steps I need to carry out to be protected from any of the vulnerabilities discussed in this bulletin?  Yes. For Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems installing the 3191492 cumulative update by itself does not fully protect against CVE-2016-3298 — you must also install security update 3193515 in MS16-126 to be fully protected from the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Information

Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability – CVE-2016-3298

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Internet Messaging API improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could allow the attacker to test for the presence of files on disk.

For an attack to be successful an attacker must persuade a user to open a malicious website. The update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way the Microsoft Internet Messaging API handles objects in memory.

The following table contain a link to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3298 No Yes
### Mitigating Factors Microsoft has not identified any [mitigating factors](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx) for these vulnerabilities. ### Workarounds Microsoft has not identified any [workarounds](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx) for these vulnerabilities. Security Update Deployment -------------------------- For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary. Acknowledgments --------------- Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See [Acknowledgments](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/mt674627.aspx) for more information. Disclaimer ---------- The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply. Revisions --------- - V1.0 (October 11, 2016): Bulletin published. - V2.0 (December 13, 2016): Revised bulletin to announce the following updates have been rereleased with a detection change that addresses a supersedence issue that certain customers experienced when attempting to install the October Security Only updates. - Security Only update 3192391 for all supported releases of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. For more information, see [Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3192391](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3192391). - Security Only update 3192393 for Windows Server 2012. For more information, see [Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3192393](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3192393). - Security Only update 3192392 for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, see [Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3192392](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3192392). These are detection changes only. There were no changes to the update files. Customers who have already successfully installed any of these updates do not need to take any action. For more information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article for the respective update. *Page generated 2016-12-12 11:07-08:00.*