Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVE-2016-7255 is a local elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in Microsoft Windows kernel-mode drivers, referred to by Microsoft as the Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. The affected platforms listed in the provided content include 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/1511/1607, and Windows Server 2016. The vulnerability allows a local user to gain elevated privileges by running a crafted application. The provided content does not include the exact vulnerable function or root-cause mechanics beyond identifying the affected component class as kernel-mode drivers / Win32k.
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Impact, mitigation & remediation
What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.
Impact
What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.
Mitigation
If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.
Remediation
Patch, then assume compromise.
Exploits
1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (3 hidden).
This repository contains a proof-of-concept (PoC) local privilege escalation exploit for CVE-2016-7255, a vulnerability in the Windows kernel (win32k.sys) that allows an unprivileged user to escalate privileges to SYSTEM. The main exploit logic is implemented in 'CVE-2016-7255/CVE-2016-7255.cpp', which orchestrates the attack by detecting the OS version, locating necessary kernel structures, and manipulating window objects to corrupt kernel memory. The exploit ultimately overwrites the current process's security token with that of the SYSTEM process, then spawns a SYSTEM-level command shell (cmd.exe). The project is structured as a Visual Studio C++ solution, with supporting header files, an assembly file for system calls, and project configuration files. The exploit is designed for research and demonstration purposes and is not weaponized for automated or remote attacks. It targets unpatched Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 systems. No network endpoints are involved; the attack vector is purely local, requiring code execution on the target machine.
Affected products & vendors
Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.
Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
Recent activity
5 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A Windows privilege-escalation vulnerability exploited by APT32 post-compromise to elevate privileges; the exploit was disguised as a legitimate Windows hotfix during at least one intrusion investigation.
A Windows privilege escalation vulnerability (referenced as an EoP used in the attack chain) leveraged after EPS code execution to elevate privileges and enable installation of the NETWIRE payload.
Windows privilege escalation vulnerability used by APT32 to escalate privileges.
Windows privilege escalation vulnerability used by APT32.
The version that knows your environment.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.