CVE-2016-0040

Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Public exploitEPSS 24.5%

Published10 Feb 2016
Added to CISA KEV28 Mar 2022
Remediation due18 Apr 2022

Description

The kernel in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionRequired

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

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

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 7all versions

Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2

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/2016/ms16-014

References

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-014PatchVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0040US Government Resource
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44586/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034985Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2016-0040 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-0040 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 28 Mar 2022.

How severe is CVE-2016-0040?

CVE-2016-0040 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 24.5% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2016-0040?

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

How do I fix CVE-2016-0040?

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-2016-0040 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.