# CVE-2016-3227: Use after free in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on Windows Server via crafted requests to the DNS Server component.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 16 Jun 2016
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wpxq-2qxf-q435

## What is CVE-2016-3227?

CVE-2016-3227 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2012, published on 16 Jun 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Use-after-free vulnerability in the DNS Server component in Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted requests, aka "Windows DNS Server Use After Free Vulnerability."

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-3227?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Microsoft Windows Server 2012.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-3227?

No fix has been published for CVE-2016-3227 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2016-3227 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-3227 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Server 2012

- [CVE-2025-59287](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-59287/): Microsoft Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-69595](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-69595/): Windows Services for NFS ONCRPC XDR Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-78445](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-78445/): Windows Services for NFS ONCRPC XDR Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-41089](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-41089/): Windows Netlogon Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-43639](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-43639/): Windows KDC Proxy Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-3227 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-3227 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2012, published on 16 Jun 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-3227 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows Server 2012. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3227/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3227/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-3227
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3227
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-3227

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3227/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.