# CVE-2016-7255: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-7255-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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

## 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)