CVE-2016-7255

Published: Nov 10, 2016Updated: Sep 10, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUNVD-CWE-noinfo

7.8HIGH

NVD MITRE

Description

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."

No summary for this CVE yet.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

AV:LAttack Vector

Local

AC:LAttack Complexity

Low

PR:NPrivileges Required

None

UI:RUser Interaction

Required

Scope

S:UScope

Unchanged

Impact

C:HConfidentiality

High

I:HIntegrity

High

A:HAvailability

High

Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

NVD-CWE-noinfo

Affected Products

Microsoft Corp

commercial·USaka microsoft, microsoft corporation

Windows 10On-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

Windows 7 Service Pack 1On-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

Windows 8.1On-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

Windows RT 8.1On-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2On-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

Windows Server 2012 GoldOn-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

Windows Server 2016On-premOS

Operating Systems / windows

windows vistaOS

Operating Systems / windows

and 14 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Added to KEV:Nov 3, 2021

Remediation due:May 3, 2022

Ransomware:Known ransomware use

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

5 exploit sources identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details

Official Patch Available

Is your org exposed to CVE-2016-7255?Request an assessment to establish which checks are appropriate for your systems. Check my exposure

References

http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/

blog.trendmicro.com

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.html

packetstormsecurity.com

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064

securityfocus.com

and 10 more references View all →

Unlock Complete Vulnerability Intelligence

Get the full picture for CVE-2016-7255 and every CVE in our database. Create a free account — no credit card required.

Create Free Account

Plain-language analysis

Impact assessment and exploitation scenario in plain English

Attack graph visualization

Interactive attack path and kill chain mapping

Exploit details & PoC links

ExploitDB, Metasploit, GitHub PoCs with direct links

Nuclei scanner templates

Ready-to-use vulnerability scanner templates

Full remediation guide

Patch instructions, workarounds, and compliance impact

Interactive AI chat

Ask questions about this vulnerability in natural language

Related vulnerabilities

Semantically similar CVEs and attack patterns

REST API & MCP access

Integrate vulnerability data into your workflows