CVE-2015-1769

Name: CVE-2015-1769
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2015-08-15T00:59:01.467+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.6/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 4.34%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2015-1769 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.6/10 on the CVSS scale. Mount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device, aka "Mount Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 4.34% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Mount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device, aka "Mount Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.6/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

4.34%

89.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Jun 15, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-264

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Windows 10	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows 7	All versions	Sp1
Microsoft	Windows 8	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows 8.1	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Rt	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Rt 8.1	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Server 2008	All versions	Sp2
Microsoft	Windows Server 2008	r2	Sp1
Microsoft	Windows Server 2012	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Server 2012	r2	—
Microsoft	Windows Vista	All versions	Sp2

References

http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2015/08/11/defending-against-cve-2015-1769-a-logical-issue-exploited-via-a-malicious-usb-stick.aspxVendor Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033244Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-085Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2015/08/11/defending-against-cve-2015-1769-a-logical-issue-exploited-via-a-malicious-usb-stick.aspxVendor Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033244Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-085Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-1769US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Aug 15, 2015
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-1769?

How severe is CVE-2015-1769?

CVE-2015-1769 has a CVSS score of 6.6/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.34% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2015-1769?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

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Source: NVD / NIST