CVE-2016-0003

Buffer Overflow in Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Verified by Precogs Threat Research
Last Updated: Apr 12, 2025
Base Score
9.6CRITICAL

Executive Summary

CVE-2016-0003 is a critical severity vulnerability affecting binary-analysis. It is classified as Memory Buffer Overflow. Ensure your systems and dependencies are patched immediately to mitigate exposure risks.

Precogs AI Insight

"Microsoft Edge contains a memory corruption vulnerability within the Chakra JavaScript engine. Attackers host malicious webpages that trigger memory mismanagement, allowing them to execute arbitrary code. Precogs Binary SAST uncovers complex use-after-free conditions in JIT compilers."

Exploit Probability (EPSS)
Moderate (6.3%)
Public POC
Available
Exploit Probability
High (84%)
Public POC
Available
Affected Assets
binary analysisCWE-119

What is this vulnerability?

CVE-2016-0003 is categorized as a critical Buffer Overflow flaw with a CVSS base score of 9.6. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.

Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.

Risk Assessment

MetricValue
CVSS Base Score9.6 (CRITICAL)
Vector StringCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
PublishedJanuary 13, 2016
Last ModifiedApril 12, 2025
Related CWEsCWE-119

Impact on Systems

Remote Code Execution: Attackers can overwrite the instruction pointer to redirect execution to malicious shellcode.

Memory Corruption: Overwriting adjacent memory regions can corrupt critical application state, leading to privilege escalation.

Denial of Service: Triggering segmentation faults results in immediate disruption of critical systems.

How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2016-0003

  1. Apply Vendor Patches: Upgrade affected components to their latest, non-vulnerable versions immediately.
  2. Implement Input Validation: Ensure all user-supplied data is validated, sanitized, and type-checked before processing.
  3. Deploy Runtime Protection: Use Precogs continuous monitoring to detect exploitation attempts in real time.
  4. Audit Dependencies: Review and update all third-party libraries and transitive dependencies.

Defending with Precogs AI

Microsoft Edge contains a memory corruption vulnerability within the Chakra JavaScript engine. Attackers host malicious webpages that trigger memory mismanagement, allowing them to execute arbitrary code. Precogs Binary SAST uncovers complex use-after-free conditions in JIT compilers.

Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.

Start scanning with Precogs →

Vulnerability Code Signature

Attack Data Flow

StageDetail
SourceNetwork packet or file input
VectorData exceeds the allocated buffer bounds during a copy operation
Sinkstrcpy(), memcpy(), or pointer arithmetic
ImpactMemory corruption, Remote Code Execution (RCE)

Vulnerable Code Pattern

// ❌ VULNERABLE: Memory Buffer Overflow
void process_data(char *input) {
    char buffer[64];
    // Taint sink: copies without bounds checking
    strcpy(buffer, input);
}

Secure Code Pattern

// ✅ SECURE: Bounded copy
void process_data(char *input) {
    char buffer[64];
    // Sanitized boundary check
    strncpy(buffer, input, sizeof(buffer) - 1);
    buffer[sizeof(buffer) - 1] = '\0';
}

How Precogs Detects This

Precogs Binary SAST engine explicitly uncovers memory boundary violations and unsafe memory management functions in compiled binaries.\n

Related Vulnerabilitiesvia CWE-119

Is your system affected?

Precogs AI detects CVE-2016-0003 in compiled binaries, LLMs, and application layers — even without source code access.