November 3, 2021 · Applied Cybernetics Group
CVE-2016-7255 — Microsoft Win32k
known ransomware use
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Added to KEV
2021-11-03- Federal due date
2022-05-03- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Win32k
- EPSS
- 99.6th percentile (score 0.810, as of
2026-09-16) - NVD CVSS v3.1
- 7.8 (HIGH)
- Ransomware use
- Known
- Upstream
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7255
CISA short description
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.
Required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
NVD 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."