CVE-2016-7255
microsoft windows 10 1507, microsoft windows 10 1511, microsoft windows 10 1607
Published 10 Nov 2016 · updated 10 Sept 2026 · Analyzed
7.8 High · CVSS 3.1, NVD
Exploited in the wild
CISA added this to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 3 Nov 2021, with a remediation deadline of 3 May 2022 for US federal agencies. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
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."
References
- blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/ · Broken Link
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.html · Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064 · Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251 · Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135 · Patch, Vendor Advisory
- github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255 · Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/ · Broken Link
- security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.html · Third Party Advisory
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/ · Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/ · Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/ · Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255 · US Government Resource