CVE-2016-7201

HIGH KEV RANSOMWARE

Microsoft Edge - Remote Code Execution via Chakra JavaScript Engine Type Confusion

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2016-7201 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added March 28, 2022, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 3 public exploits from researchers including Google Security Research, Brian Pak, theori-io.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a type confusion vulnerability in JavaScript arrays via Proxy objects to manipulate array prototypes, leading to arbitrary memory access. The PoC demonstrates the issue by confusing an integer with a pointer in the context of array operations.

Description

The Chakra JavaScript scripting engine in Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-7200, CVE-2016-7202, CVE-2016-7203, CVE-2016-7208, CVE-2016-7240, CVE-2016-7242, and CVE-2016-7243.

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · htmldoswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40784

This exploit leverages a type confusion vulnerability in JavaScript arrays via Proxy objects to manipulate array prototypes, leading to arbitrary memory access. The PoC demonstrates the issue by confusing an integer with a pointer in the context of array operations.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Chromium-based browsers (V8 engine)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be using a vulnerable version of Chromium/V8
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
by Brian Pak · textremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40990

This exploit leverages a type confusion vulnerability (CVE-2016-7200) and an information leak (CVE-2016-7201) in ChakraCore to achieve remote code execution. It demonstrates the exploitation by launching notepad.exe via WinExec.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Edge (ChakraCore) on Windows 10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious webpage served via HTTP server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
patchapalooza WORKING POC
by theori-io · client-side
https://github.com/theori-io/chakra-2016-11

This repository contains a functional proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2016-7201, which leverages an information leak and type confusion vulnerability in Chakra (Edge's JavaScript engine) to achieve remote code execution. The exploit is delivered via an HTML file that triggers the vulnerability when loaded in Microsoft Edge.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Edge (Chakra JavaScript engine) on Windows 10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious webpage hosting the exploit HTML file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 23, 2026 Full analysis →

References (8)

Core 8
Core References
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ms
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-129
Exploit, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/theori-io/chakra-2016-11
Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94038
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40784/
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40990/
Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037245

Scores

CVSS v3 8.8
EPSS 0.8891
EPSS Percentile 99.5%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2022-03-28
VulnCheck KEV 2017-01-11
InTheWild.io 2022-03-28
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2022-2363
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-843
Status published
Products (2)
microsoft/edge
nuget/Microsoft.ChakraCore 0 - 1.2.2NuGet
Published Nov 10, 2016
KEV Added Mar 28, 2022
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026