CVE-2016-3309: Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2016-3309 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-15

A privilege escalation vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k) occurs when the kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory. Local attackers can exploit this via a crafted application to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode and gain elevated privileges.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2016-3309 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2016-3309 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 15 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2016-3309?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 15 March 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2 SP1; Microsoft Windows 7 SP1; Microsoft Windows 8.1 Gold; and 3 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2016-3309?
A patch was published on 2016-08-09: Microsoft released security bulletin MS16-098 to address this issue. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2016-3309 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2016-3309?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 Vista SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1 Gold
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Gold, R2
  • Microsoft Windows RT 8.1 Gold
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607

Timeline

  • 2016-08-09: patched: Microsoft released security bulletin MS16-098 to address this issue.
  • 2022-03-15: kev added: Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
  • 2022-03-15: disclosed: NVD publication date.

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