[ CVE-2016-7255 · Published 10 Nov 2016 ]
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Exploited · CISA KEV CVSS 7.8
EPSS 81%Fix available
[ Why it matters ]Priority signals
- Exploited in the wild: on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list since 2021-11-03
- Known to be used in ransomware campaigns
- EPSS: 81% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (higher than 100% of CVEs)
[ Description ]Official description
The kernel-mode drivers 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 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
CISA: Microsoft Win32k kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory which allows for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.
[ Fixes ]Fixes and patches
CISA required action (US federal deadline 3 May 2022): Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Patch on docs.microsoft.comVendor patch or bulletin · NVD · Reference tagged 'Patch' by NVD
[ References ]References
- blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2…Broken Link
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLon…ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135PatchVendor Advisory
- github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255ExploitThird Party Advisory
- securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vul…Broken Link
- security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.htmlThird Party Advisory
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalogUS Government Resource