CVE-2015-1701: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2015-1701 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-03

A privilege escalation vulnerability in the Win32k.sys kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows allows local users to gain elevated privileges via a crafted application. The flaw stems from improper handling of objects in memory, enabling arbitrary code execution with kernel-level permissions.

Technologies: Microsoft Win32K. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2015-1701 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2015-1701 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2015-1701?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 3 March 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2; Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2; Microsoft Windows 7 SP1.
Is there a fix for CVE-2015-1701?
A patch was published on 2015-05-12: Microsoft released MS15-051 to address the vulnerability. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2015-1701 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2015-1701?
Check whether you run Microsoft Win32K. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Vista SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 7 SP1

Timeline

  • 2015-04: exploited: Exploitation in the wild reported.
  • 2015-05-12: patched: Microsoft released MS15-051 to address the vulnerability.
  • 2022-03-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.

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