CVE-2015-1769
CVE-2015-1769 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.6. 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-264.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.6)
- CVSS v2: 7.2
- EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (90th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-05-25)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2015-1899
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-05-25)
- Weakness: CWE-264
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Mount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device, aka "Mount Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2015-1769?
- Mount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device, aka "Mount Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
- How severe is CVE-2015-1769?
- CVE-2015-1769 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2015-1769 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2015-1769 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-2015-1769?
- CVE-2015-1769 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2015-1769?
- 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-2015-1769 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2015-1769 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2015-1899. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-05-25).
- When was CVE-2015-1769 published?
- CVE-2015-1769 was published on 2015-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2015/08/11/defending-against-cve-2015-1769-a-logical-issue-exploited-via-a-malicious-usb-stick.aspx
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033244
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-085
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-1769
Affected products (12)
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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_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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