CVE-2016-7255 Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation

What is CVE-2016-7255?

CVE-2016-7255 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 10 Nov 2016. 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 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."

Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-7255?

It affects 10 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 4 more.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7255?

No fix has been published for CVE-2016-7255 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 3 May 2022.

Is CVE-2016-7255 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2016-7255 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code: 3 Exploit-DB entries and 5 proofs of concept on GitHub.

Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1507

• CVE-2017-8543 Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2025-33053 Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-33073 Microsoft Windows SMB Client Improper Access Control Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2024-49039 Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2024-43461 Microsoft Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing Exploited High 8.8

All Microsoft Windows 10 1507 vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-6rfx-wjcx-jvgf.