CVE-2015-1701

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwarePublic exploitEPSS 55.9%

Published21 Apr 2015
Added to CISA KEV3 Mar 2022
Remediation due24 Mar 2022

Description

Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredLow

User interactionNone

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 2003 Serverr2

Microsoft Windows 7all versions

Microsoft Windows Server 2008all versions

Microsoft Windows Vistaall versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

Patch & vendor advisories

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051

References

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051PatchVendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34Broken LinkMailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-1701US Government Resource
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37049/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37367/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_useo.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440Press/Media Coverage
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/74245Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032155Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2015-1701 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2015-1701 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Mar 2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2015-1701?

CVE-2015-1701 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 55.9% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2015-1701?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Vista.

How do I fix CVE-2015-1701?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2015-1701 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.