Information Disclosure in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE-2016-0162) Enables File Enumeration
What It Is — CVE‑2016‑0162 is an information‑disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer where crafted JavaScript can cause the browser to reveal the presence of specific files on a user’s machine. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed in 2016 and patched by Microsoft in the same year.
Exploitability — The flaw is exploitable via a malicious web page; no special privileges are required. Public proof‑of‑concept code exists, and the CVSS v3 base score is 5.5 (Medium).
Affected Products — Microsoft Internet Explorer 8‑11 on Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 (all versions prior to the 2016 security update).
Why It Matters for Trust & Control Assurance
- Demonstrates the need for continuous patch‑management evidence to satisfy control objectives around vulnerability remediation.
- Highlights the importance of endpoint‑activity logging that can prove timely detection and mitigation for audit purposes.
- Reinforces that a defensible audit trail of remediation actions is a prerequisite for enterprise buyers demanding verifiable trust.
Recommended Actions
- Deploy Microsoft’s 2016 security update for Internet Explorer on all affected endpoints.
- Verify patch rollout through an automated asset‑inventory scan and capture remediation logs as evidence.
- Update endpoint detection and response (EDR) policies to flag any attempts to load malicious JavaScript in browsers.
- Document the remediation process in your control‑mapping repository to support future audits.
Source: CISA KEV – CVE‑2016‑0162