How severe is CVE-2015-0016?

CVE-2015-0016 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2015-0016 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2015-0016 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-05-25, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-0016?

CVE-2015-0016 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-0016?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.

Does CVE-2015-0016 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2015-0016 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2015-0054. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-05-25).

When was CVE-2015-0016 published?

CVE-2015-0016 was published on 2015-01-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2015-0016

CVE-2015-0016 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2022-05-25). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 76% (100th percentile)
Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-05-25)
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2015-0054
EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-05-25)
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2015-01-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the TS WebProxy (aka TSWbPrxy) component in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted pathname in an executable file, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "Directory Traversal Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-0016?: Directory traversal vulnerability in the TS WebProxy (aka TSWbPrxy) component in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted pathname in an executable file, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "Directory Traversal Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2015-0016?: CVE-2015-0016 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2015-0016 being actively exploited?: Yes. CVE-2015-0016 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-05-25, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
What products are affected by CVE-2015-0016?: CVE-2015-0016 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2015-0016?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
Does CVE-2015-0016 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2015-0016 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2015-0054. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-05-25).
When was CVE-2015-0016 published?: CVE-2015-0016 was published on 2015-01-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt:-:gold:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:gold:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 7

CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
CVE-2015-2373 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server service in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 allows…
CVE-2015-0014 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in the Telnet service in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2…
CVE-2014-6321 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Schannel in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1,…
CVE-2013-3195 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The DSA_InsertItem function in Comctl32.dll in the Windows common control library in Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Windows…
CVE-2013-3175 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1,…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 7 →

Other CWE-22 (Path Traversal) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-55393 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unvalidated pathnames in the web interface in Teledyne FLIR Aware2 versions through 6.9.0.2 (PackBot) and 1.7.9…
CVE-2026-97163 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - lomart.fr - Unauthenticated remote code installation in UP plugin extension 5.0.0-5.2.0, 6.0.0-6.0.29
CVE-2026-80155 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lantronix SLC8000 before firmware v9.7.0.5, SLC9000 before firmware v9.7.0.2, EMG8500/EMG7500 before firmware v9.7.0.1,…
CVE-2026-70200 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Azure Logic Apps allows an…
CVE-2026-85706 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): GitLab has remediated an issue in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 18.7 before 18.11.12, 19.0 before 19.0.9,…
CVE-2026-76606 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - fabrikar.com - Path Traversal via image element in Fabrik < 4.7.2.

Browse all CWE-22 (Path Traversal) vulnerabilities →