CVE-2015-2546 Microsoft Win32k Memory Corruption

Exploited in the wild High 8.2 Published 9 Sep 2015 Updated 14 Aug 2026

Local attackers can gain elevated privileges via a crafted application exploiting a memory corruption flaw in the Windows kernel-mode driver.

Exploited in the wild: Since 15 Mar 2022
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2015-2546?

CVE-2015-2546 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 9 Sep 2015. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

The kernel-mode driver 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 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Memory Corruption Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2511, CVE-2015-2517, and CVE-2015-2518.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-2546?

It affects 9 products.

Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1 and 3 more.

How do I fix CVE-2015-2546?

No fix has been published for CVE-2015-2546 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 5 Apr 2022.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2015-2546 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2015-2546 in the wild since at least 15 Mar 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.

All Microsoft Windows 10 1507 vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-5c8h-c2cj-96mm.