CVE-2016-0167

KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Win32k contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation via a crafted application

The kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0143 and CVE-2016-0165.

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

PublishedApr 12, 2016

Last modifiedJun 17, 2026

Added to KEVNov 3, 2021

Remediation dueMay 3, 2022

References

securitytracker.com/id/1035529Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1035532Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-039PatchVendor Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0167US 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 1637 days
Ransomware: Used in known ransomware campaigns
CVSS: 7.8 HIGH
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 5.7% · top 7% 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.