# CVE-2015-1701: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-1701-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/win32k). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/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.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-0165-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32K Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-29336-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-2360-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8589-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-4113-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)