CVE-2016-7255
Last modified
CVE-2016-7255 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 80.97% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.
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."
Metrics
Exploitation Status
This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by .
Affected Software
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1507 | All versions | — |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1511 | All versions | — |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1607 | All versions | — |
| Microsoft | Windows 7 | All versions | Sp1 |
| Microsoft | Windows 8.1 | 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 Server 2016 | All versions | — |
| Microsoft | Windows Vista | All versions | Sp2 |
References
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135Patch, Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135Patch, Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255US Government Resource
Timeline
- Published
- Last Modified
- Status
- Analyzed
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Strix Helps
- How Strix found a critical auth bypass in etcdStrix autonomously discovered a critical authentication bypass in etcd, later designated CVE-2026-33413.
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