Microsoft Internet Explorer HTTP/2 HEIST information disclosure

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.2$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component HTTP/2 Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to information disclosure (HEIST). This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2016-7153. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. This vulnerability is historically impactful due to its background and the reception it garnered. It is suggested to apply the recommended workaround.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer (Web Browser) (version now known) and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the component HTTP/2 Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a information disclosure vulnerability (HEIST). The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-200. The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality. CVE summarizes:

The HTTP/2 protocol does not consider the role of the TCP congestion window in providing information about content length, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain cleartext data by leveraging a web-browser configuration in which third-party cookies are sent, aka a "HEIST" attack.

The weakness was published 08/03/2016 by Mathy Vanhoef and Tom Van Goethem with iMinds-DistriNet as HEIST: HTTP Encrypted Information can be Stolen through TCP-windows as confirmed paper (Blackhat). The advisory is shared for download at blackhat.com. The public release happened without coordination with the vendor. This vulnerability was named CVE-2016-7153 since 09/06/2016. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 09/08/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product decreasing in the near future.The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1592. This vulnerability has a historic impact due to its background and reception.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261316 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2016-7153), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

The best possible mitigation is suggested to be Workaround.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (261316) and SecurityFocus (BID 92773†). Additional details are provided at arstechnica.com. Similar entries are available at VDB-91292, VDB-91293, VDB-91294 and VDB-91295. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.2

VulDB Base Score: 3.1
VulDB Temp Score: 3.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.3
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Name: HEIST
Class: Information disclosure / HEIST
CWE: CWE-200 / CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 261316
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2016-7153

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Workaround
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/03/2016 🔍
09/06/2016 +34 days 🔍
09/06/2016 +0 days 🔍
09/06/2016 +0 days 🔍
09/07/2016 +1 days 🔍
09/08/2025 +3288 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: HEIST: HTTP Encrypted Information can be Stolen through TCP-windows
Researcher: Mathy Vanhoef, Tom Van Goethem
Organization: iMinds-DistriNet
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2016-7153 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2016-7153
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-91300
SecurityFocus: 92773 - HTTP/2 CVE-2016-7153 Information Disclosure Vulnerability
SecurityTracker: 1036741

Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 09/07/2016 11:07
Updated: 09/08/2025 20:35
Changes: 09/07/2016 11:07 (53), 04/07/2017 12:15 (20), 09/15/2022 08:06 (4), 09/08/2025 20:35 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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