HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-2203
HIGHPOC

CVE-2016-2203

CWE-255Published: April 22, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The management console on Symantec Messaging Gateway (SMG) Appliance devices before 10.6.1 allows local users to discover an encrypted AD password by leveraging certain read privileges.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-2203 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-2203. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

symantec1 product(s)
messaging gateway
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136758/Symantec-Brightmail-10.6.0-7-LDAP-Credential-Grabber.html
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/86137
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035609
ADVISORYhttp://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160418_00
ADVISORYhttps://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39715/
ADVISORYhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136758/Symantec-Brightmail-10.6.0-7-LDAP-Credential-Grabber.html
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/86137
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035609
ADVISORYhttp://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160418_00
ADVISORYhttps://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39715/

All References (10)

→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136758/Symantec-Brightmail-10.6.0-7-LDAP-Credential-Grabber.htmlExploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/86137Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035609Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160418_00Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39715/Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136758/Symantec-Brightmail-10.6.0-7-LDAP-Credential-Grabber.htmlExploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/86137Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035609Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160418_00Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39715/Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-2203
CVSS Score7.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-255
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedApr 22, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-255)

CVE-2011-0354
10.0
CVE-2014-0683
10.0
CVE-2011-0885
10.0
CVE-2009-3710
10.0
CVE-2014-1849
10.0
CVE-2013-5755
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-2203 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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