CVE-2016-7255: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
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."
Published Nov 10, 2016 · Updated Sep 10, 2026
Required action
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Advisory details
From the National Vulnerability Database. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.
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."
References
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-135
- https://github.com/mwrlabs/CVE-2016-7255
- https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/digging-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-cve-2016-7255/
- https://security.googleblog.com/2016/10/disclosing-vulnerabilities-to-protect.html
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40745/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40823/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41015/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-7255
How this page is made: the data panel comes from the GitHub Advisory Database, CISA’s KEV catalog, the NVD and FIRST EPSS, and updates twice a day. No analysis has been written for this entry yet. Methodology
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