# CVE-2016-7256: Microsoft Windows Open Type Font Remote Code Execution

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a crafted website exploiting the Windows font library, affecting multiple Windows versions.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 May 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 10 Nov 2016
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cx4j-72f6-rmxr

## What is CVE-2016-7256?

CVE-2016-7256 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 10 Nov 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

atmfd.dll in the Windows font library in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607, and Windows Server 2016 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, aka "Open Type Font Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-7256?

It affects 10 products.


Products: Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1511, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Vista.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-7256?

No fix has been published for CVE-2016-7256 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Jun 2022.

## Is CVE-2016-7256 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2016-7256 in the wild since at least 25 May 2022.

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1507

- [CVE-2017-8543](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-8543/): Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-33053](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-33053/): Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-33073](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-33073/): Microsoft Windows SMB Client Improper Access Control (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-49039](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-49039/): Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-43461](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-43461/): Microsoft Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-7256 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-7256 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 10 Nov 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2016-7256 in the wild since at least 25 May 2022.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10 1507. 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-2016-7256/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-7256/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7256
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7256
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-7256

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-7256/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.