CVE-2015-1701
KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
An unspecified vulnerability exists in the Win32k.sys kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Server that allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedApr 21, 2015
Last modifiedAug 14, 2026
Added to KEVMar 3, 2022
Remediation dueMar 24, 2022
References
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34Broken LinkMailing List
- twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440Press/Media Coverage
- securityfocus.com/bid/74245Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
- securitytracker.com/id/1032155Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051PatchVendor Advisory
- exploit-db.com/exploits/37049/ExploitThird Party Advisory
- exploit-db.com/exploits/37367/ExploitThird Party Advisory
- fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_useo.htmlThird Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-1701US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
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Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1678 days
- Ransomware
- Used in known ransomware campaigns
- CVSS
- 7.8 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 55.9% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- NVD-CWE-noinfo
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
- 4.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.