CVE-2016-7255

CVE-2016-7255 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507 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 2021-11-03).

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
• CVSS v2: 7.2
• EPSS exploit prediction: 81% (100th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2021-11-03)
• EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2016-8111
• EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2021-11-03)
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10 1507
• Published: 2016-11-10
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

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."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-7255?

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."

How severe is CVE-2016-7255?

CVE-2016-7255 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-2016-7255 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-7255 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2021-11-03, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-7255?

CVE-2016-7255 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10 1507. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7255?

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-2016-7255 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2016-7255 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2016-8111. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2021-11-03).

When was CVE-2016-7255 published?

CVE-2016-7255 was published on 2016-11-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/one-bit-rule-system-analyzing-cve-2016-7255-exploit-wild/
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140468/Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-win32k.sys-NtSetWindowLongPtr-Privilege-Escalation.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94064
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037251
• 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

Affected products (12)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1507:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1511:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• 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:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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