How severe is CVE-2015-0096?

CVE-2015-0096 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2015-0096 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 71% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-0096?

CVE-2015-0096 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-0096?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2015-0096 published?

CVE-2015-0096 was published on 2015-03-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2015-0096

CVE-2015-0096 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 71% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-426.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 71% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2015-03-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, leading to DLL loading during Windows Explorer access to the icon of a crafted shortcut, aka "DLL Planting Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-0096?: Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, leading to DLL loading during Windows Explorer access to the icon of a crafted shortcut, aka "DLL Planting Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2015-0096?: CVE-2015-0096 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2015-0096 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 71% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2015-0096?: CVE-2015-0096 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2015-0096?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2015-0096 published?: CVE-2015-0096 was published on 2015-03-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (12)

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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:itanium:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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