Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2016-7255
The short answer
CVE-2016-7255 affects n/a n/a and is rated high (CVSS 7.8). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03: attackers are using it, so patch it first. The vendor has linked a patch.
What it is
The kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607, and Windows Server 2016 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
Severity
7.8 high
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Nov 3, 2021
Federal due date May 3, 2022
EPSS, next 30 days
81%
Higher than 100% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
What CISA says to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected products
n/a. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135 PatchVendor Advisory
- github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255 ExploitThird Party Advisory
- securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/ Broken Link
- security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.html Third Party Advisory
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135 PatchVendor Advisory
- github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255 ExploitThird Party Advisory
- securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/ Broken Link
- security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.html Third Party Advisory
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
Questions
Is CVE-2016-7255 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2016-7255 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03, with a federal remediation due date of 2022-05-03. CISA lists it as used in ransomware campaigns.
How do I fix CVE-2016-7255?
CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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