High severity · published Nov 10, 2016
CVE-2016-7255
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
RansomwareIn wildKEV
7.8
CVSS
81%
EPSS
Yes
On KEV
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 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
Required
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)81.0% · higher than 100% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildYes
CISA KEVListed Nov 3, 2021
Federal remediation dueMay 3, 2022
Ransomware campaign useKnown
Affected products
Which versions
W1
Windows 10 1507 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
W1
Windows 10 1511 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
W1
Windows 10 1607 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
W7
Windows 7 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
W8
Windows 8.1 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WR
Windows RT 8.1 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WS
Windows Server 2008 · Microsoft
r2 · source: NVD
WS
Windows Server 2012 · Microsoft
r2 · source: NVD
WS
Windows Server 2016 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WV
Windows Vista · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WI
Win32k · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: KEV
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7255
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7255
CISA KEV catalogue
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
x_refsource_MISC
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.html
x_refsource_MISC
https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255
exploit
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/
exploit
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/
x_refsource_MISC
https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/
exploit
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/
More from Windows 10 1507
9.8
CVE-2017-8543
Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
8.8
CVE-2025-33073
Windows SMB Client Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
8.8
CVE-2025-33053
Internet Shortcut Files Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
8.8
CVE-2024-49039
Windows Task Scheduler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
8.8
CVE-2024-43461
Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing Vulnerability
