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Findings

CVE-2016-7255

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Published Nov 10, 2016 · updated Sep 9, 2026 · microsoft windows 10 1507

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."

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Nov 10, 2016 · Catalog

    Detected

    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."

  2. Nov 3, 2021 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  3. May 3, 2022 · CISA KEV

    Remediation due

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  4. Sep 9, 2026 · Catalog

    Updated

    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."

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA due date May 3, 2022

Affected

  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 1507version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 1511version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 1607version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 7version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 8.1version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows rt 8.1version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows server 2008version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows server 2008r2
  • vendor Microsoft Win32kversion unspecified

Sources

  • CISA KEVCVE-2016-7255

    Microsoft Win32k kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory which allows for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.

    cisa.gov
  • CVE.orgCVE-2016-7255

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSCVE-2016-7255

    30-day exploitation probability 81.0%

    first.org
  • Exploit Database40745

    Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.

    exploit-db.com
  • Exploit Database40823

    Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.

    exploit-db.com
  • Exploit Database41015

    Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.

    exploit-db.com
  • Metasploit Modulesexploit_windows/local/cve_2022_21882_win32k

    Public module reference (average). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • NIST NVDCVE-2016-7255

    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 app

    nvd.nist.gov
  • Packet Storm Security://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com

References

CVE-2016-7255 · ZeroDay Findings