CVE-2016-7255

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwarePublic exploitEPSS 81.0%

Published10 Nov 2016
Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
Remediation due3 May 2022

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."

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 10 1607all 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 Server 2016all 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/2016/ms16-135

References

http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/Broken Link
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135PatchVendor Advisory
https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/Broken Link
https://security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255US Government Resource
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

and 2 more references

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2016-7255 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-7255 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2016-7255?

CVE-2016-7255 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 81.0% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2016-7255?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1511, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, and 5 more.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7255?

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-2016-7255 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.