{
  "id": "CVE-2016-7255",
  "url": "https://spydr.io/cve/CVE-2016-7255",
  "published": "2016-11-10T07:00:09.460Z",
  "modified": "2026-09-10T04:17:32.400Z",
  "score": 7.8,
  "severity": "high",
  "cvss_version": "3.1",
  "vector": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
  "score_source": "NVD",
  "epss": 0.80968,
  "epss_percentile": 0.99625,
  "exploited": true,
  "kev": {
    "added": "2021-11-03",
    "due": "2022-05-03",
    "action": "Apply updates per vendor instructions.",
    "ransomware": "Known",
    "name": "Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability",
    "notes": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7255"
  },
  "ssvc_exploitation": "active",
  "vendors": [
    "microsoft"
  ],
  "products": [
    "microsoft windows 10 1507",
    "microsoft windows 10 1511",
    "microsoft windows 10 1607",
    "microsoft windows 7",
    "microsoft windows 8.1",
    "microsoft windows rt 8.1",
    "microsoft windows server 2008",
    "microsoft windows server 2012",
    "microsoft windows server 2016",
    "microsoft windows vista"
  ],
  "cwes": [],
  "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.\"",
  "status": "Analyzed",
  "score_type": "Primary",
  "scores": {
    "cvss_v40": null,
    "cvss_v31": 7.8,
    "cvss_v30": null
  },
  "references": [
    {
      "url": "http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.html",
      "tags": [
        "Exploit",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135",
      "tags": [
        "Patch",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255",
      "tags": [
        "Exploit",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.html",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/",
      "tags": [
        "Exploit",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/",
      "tags": [
        "Exploit",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/",
      "tags": [
        "Exploit",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255",
      "tags": [
        "US Government Resource"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "nvd_url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7255",
  "covered_in": [],
  "attribution": [
    {
      "source": "NVD",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov",
      "notice": "This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD."
    },
    {
      "source": "CISA KEV",
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog",
      "notice": "Known exploited vulnerabilities from the CISA KEV catalog."
    },
    {
      "source": "FIRST EPSS",
      "url": "https://www.first.org/epss",
      "notice": "Exploit prediction scores from FIRST EPSS."
    }
  ]
}