CVE-2015-2546

KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Win32k Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Description

The kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows OS and Server allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application.

The kernel-mode driver 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 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Memory Corruption Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2511, CVE-2015-2517, and CVE-2015-2518.

CVSS 3.1 vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

PublishedSep 9, 2015

Last modifiedAug 14, 2026

Added to KEVMar 15, 2022

Remediation dueApr 5, 2022

References

securityfocus.com/bid/76608Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1033485Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-097PatchVendor Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-2546US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · Critical

Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1665 days
Ransomware: Used in known ransomware campaigns
CVSS: 8.2 HIGH
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 10.1% · top 4% of all CVEs
Weakness: CWE-119

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.