CVE-2016-7255: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2016-7255 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

The Win32k kernel-mode driver in multiple Microsoft Windows versions fails to properly handle objects in memory. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges via a crafted application, potentially executing code in kernel mode.

Technologies: Microsoft Win32K. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2016-7255 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2016-7255 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2016-7255?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 3 November 2021.
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 4 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2016-7255?
A patch was published on 2016-11-08: Microsoft released security bulletin MS16-135. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2016-7255 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2016-7255?
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 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
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Gold

Timeline

  • 2016-10-31: disclosed: Google disclosed the vulnerability after 7 days of notification to Microsoft.
  • 2016-11-08: patched: Microsoft released security bulletin MS16-135.
  • 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
  • exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild by multiple sources including Trend Micro and Google.

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