# CVE-2016-3256: Windows Secure Kernel Mode Information Disclosure Vulnerability

CVE-2016-3256 is fixed in 4 products on 1 platform, first by KB3172985, released July 12, 2016. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2016-3256
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 3.3 (Important)
- EPSS: 0.0490
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Vendor exploitability assessment: Exploitation Less Likely
- Published: Jul 12, 2016
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2016-3256

## Description

<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Windows Secure Kernel Mode improperly handles objects in memory. A locally authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could be able to read sensitive information on the target system.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker could run a specially crafted application on the target system. Note that the information disclosure vulnerability by itself would not be sufficient for an attacker to compromise a system. However, an attacker could combine this vulnerability with additional vulnerabilities to further exploit the system.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows Secure Kernel Mode handles objects in memory.</p>

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems | 10586.494 | [KB3172985](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3172985.md) | Jul 12, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems | 10586.494 | [KB3172985](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3172985.md) | Jul 12, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems | 10240.17024 | [KB3163912](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3163912.md) | Jul 12, 2016 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 for x64-based Systems | 10240.17024 | [KB3163912](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb3163912.md) | Jul 12, 2016 |

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Data as of 2026-11-07T18:46:35Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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