CVE-2016-7255The 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 160…
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It affects microsoft windows_10_1507 and 9 other products. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
CISA lists it as known exploited since Nov 3, 2021; federal agencies had to remediate by May 3, 2022, and it is known to be used in ransomware. Treat that date as your deadline.
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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."
- CVSS
- 7.8 HIGH (v3.1, CISA ADP)CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- Not given
- Known exploited
- Added to CISA KEV Nov 3, 2021; federal remediation due May 3, 2022; known ransomware useApply updates per vendor instructions.
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 80.97% (percentile 100)
- Assigned by
- microsoft
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Sep 10, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
microsoft windows_10_1507 microsoft:windows_10_1507 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_10_1511 microsoft:windows_10_1511 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_10_1607 microsoft:windows_10_1607 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_7 microsoft:windows_7 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_8.1 microsoft:windows_8.1 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_rt_8.1 microsoft:windows_rt_8.1 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_server_2008 microsoft:windows_server_2008 | all versions; r2 | NVD |
microsoft windows_server_2012 microsoft:windows_server_2012 | all versions; r2 | NVD |
microsoft windows_server_2016 microsoft:windows_server_2016 | all versions | NVD |
microsoft windows_vista microsoft:windows_vista | all versions | NVD |
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255x-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/exploit, x-refsource-exploit-db, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/exploit, x-refsource-exploit-db, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/x-refsource-misc, broken-link
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/exploit, x-refsource-exploit-db, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251vdb-entry, x-refsource-sectrack, broken-link, third-party-advisory
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135vendor-advisory, x-refsource-ms, patch
- http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/x-refsource-misc, broken-link
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064vdb-entry, x-refsource-bid, broken-link, third-party-advisory
- https://security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.htmlx-refsource-misc, third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255us-government-resource
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.