CVE-2016-3309 Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation
Local attackers can gain elevated privileges on Windows systems by exploiting a vulnerability in kernel-mode drivers via a crafted application.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 15 Mar 2022
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2016-3309?
CVE-2016-3309 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 9 Aug 2016. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official 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; and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3308, CVE-2016-3310, and CVE-2016-3311.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-3309?
It affects 9 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1511, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1 and 3 more.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3309?
No fix has been published for CVE-2016-3309 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 5 Apr 2022.
Is CVE-2016-3309 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2016-3309 in the wild since at least 15 Mar 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.
Public exploit code: 1 Exploit-DB entry and 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1507
- CVE-2017-8543 Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2025-33053 Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path
- CVE-2025-33073 Microsoft Windows SMB Client Improper Access Control
- CVE-2024-49039 Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation
- CVE-2024-43461 Microsoft Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing
Sources
Also known as GHSA-7cmx-3w9q-4v5g.