# CVE-2015-6175: Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation

> Local attackers can gain elevated privileges on Windows 10 systems by exploiting a vulnerability in the kernel via a crafted application.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 May 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 9 Dec 2015
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4r4r-223f-8hjj

## What is CVE-2015-6175?

CVE-2015-6175 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 9 Dec 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 in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Kernel Memory Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-6175?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Microsoft Windows 10 1507.

## How do I fix CVE-2015-6175?

No fix has been published for CVE-2015-6175 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Jun 2022.

## Is CVE-2015-6175 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2015-6175 in the wild since at least 25 May 2022.

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1507

- [CVE-2017-8543](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-8543/): Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-33053](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-33053/): Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-33073](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-33073/): Microsoft Windows SMB Client Improper Access Control (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-49039](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-49039/): Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-43461](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-43461/): Microsoft Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2015-6175 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2015-6175 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 9 Dec 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.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2015-6175 in the wild since at least 25 May 2022.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10 1507. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-6175/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-6175/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-6175
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-6175
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2015-6175

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-6175/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.