CVE-2016-7255CISA KEV

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Severity unknownCVSS unknownCheck the vendor advisory for fixed versions

CISA lists this Microsoft vulnerability as known exploited. Its MSRC release detail is outside this installation's collected history.

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CISA catalog record

Microsoft Win32k kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory which allows for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.

Product: Win32k
Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021
Federal remediation due: 3 May 2022
Known ransomware use: Yes

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23 Oct 2026 · 09:33:49 UTC Source coverage: cisa-kevIncomplete → Current
23 Oct 2026 · 08:31:50 UTC Source coverage: cisa-kevCurrent → Incomplete

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CVE-2016-7255

Listed in CISA KEV · added 3 Nov 2021 · Microsoft · Win32k

Microsoft Win32k kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory which allows for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.

CISA source

No EPSS score is available here for this CVE.

Saved 23 Oct 2026 16:01:26 UTC · View this risk record (JSON)

cve-program · CVE-2016-7255

Published

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 us…

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."

Source published: 10 Nov 2016 06:16:00 UTC
Source modified: 10 Sep 2026 03:55:16 UTC
Saved here: 23 Oct 2026 15:48:27 UTC
Source terms: CVE Program Terms of Use

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

Source: cve-program · CVE Program Terms of Use. The publisher's wording is preserved. ChangeIntel groups the information and labels changes. The JSON record includes additional source fields.