CVE-2016-0165

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 13.7%

Published12 Apr 2016
Added to CISA KEV22 Jun 2023
Remediation due13 Jul 2023

Description

The kernel-mode driver 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, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0143 and CVE-2016-0167.

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 10 1507all versions

Microsoft Windows 10 1511all versions

Microsoft Windows 7all versions

Microsoft Windows 8.1all versions

Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1all versions

Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2

Microsoft Windows Server 2012r2

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/ms16-039

References

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-039PatchVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0165US Government Resource
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44480/ProductThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035529Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035532Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2016-0165 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-0165 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 22 Jun 2023.

How severe is CVE-2016-0165?

CVE-2016-0165 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 13.7% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2016-0165?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1511, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1, and 3 more.

How do I fix CVE-2016-0165?

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-2016-0165 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.