CVE-2016-7241: Microsoft Edge and IE 11 memory corruption via crafted web site

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 19 September 2026. Confidence: medium.

high priorityHigh CVSS (7.5) with public exploit code and very high EPSS, though exploitation requires user interaction and no KEV listing.

What it is

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge contain a memory corruption flaw (CWE-119) that a remote attacker can trigger with a crafted web site, leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service. The record does not specify affected build versions or the exact vulnerable component beyond the browser engines. It matters because browsers are a primary user-facing attack surface and successful code execution runs in the user's context.

Impact

An attacker can execute arbitrary code in the context of the logged-on user or crash the browser, causing denial of service. Full compromise of the user's session and data is possible if code execution succeeds.

Attack surface

Reached over the network when a user visits a crafted web site in Internet Explorer 11 or Microsoft Edge. No authentication is required, but user interaction (browsing to the page) is required per the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R).

Exploitation

Not listed in CISA KEV, but EPSS is very high (0.71489, 99.4th percentile) and public exploit references exist (Exploit-DB 40875, Packet Storm), indicating exploit code is publicly available. No ransomware group usage is documented.

What to do

• Apply the Microsoft security updates referenced in MS16-129 and MS16-142 as soon as possible.
• Upgrade or migrate off Internet Explorer 11 to a currently supported browser.
• Enforce browser hardening: disable unnecessary scripting/ActiveX features and keep Edge/IE patched via Windows Update.
• Restrict or monitor browsing to untrusted sites through network controls and web filtering.
• Run browsers with least privilege and enable exploit mitigations (EMET/Windows Defender Exploit Guard where applicable).

Detection

• Monitor for browser crashes or unexpected process terminations of iexplore.exe or MicrosoftEdge.exe.
• Hunt for child processes spawned by browser processes (e.g., cmd.exe, powershell.exe) indicating post-exploitation.
• Review proxy/web logs for access to known exploit-hosting domains or the Exploit-DB/Packet Storm payload patterns.
• Correlate Windows event logs and EDR telemetry for anomalous memory or code execution behavior in browser processes.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.