CVE-2016-7255

KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Win32k kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory which allows for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.

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."

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

PublishedNov 10, 2016

Last modifiedSep 10, 2026

Added to KEVNov 3, 2021

Remediation dueMay 3, 2022

References

blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/Broken Link
packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
securityfocus.com/bid/94064Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1037251Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135PatchVendor Advisory
github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255ExploitThird Party Advisory
securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/Broken Link
security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.htmlThird Party Advisory
exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/ExploitThird Party Advisory
exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/ExploitThird Party Advisory
exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/ExploitThird Party Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255US 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): 81.0% · 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.