Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

HIGH 7.8EXPLOITED (CISA KEV)CVE-2015-1701 · Published 21/04/2015 · updated 14/08/2026

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. Actively exploited: CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 03/03/2022. Patch affected systems as an emergency. It is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.

Package	Affected versions	Patched versions
Win32k Microsoft	Versions not published yet (product named by CISA KEV)

Description

Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

References

seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34 · Broken Link
twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440 · Press/Media Coverage
securityfocus.com/bid/74245 · Broken Link
securitytracker.com/id/1032155 · Broken Link
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051 · Patch
exploit-db.com/exploits/37049 · Exploit
exploit-db.com/exploits/37367 · Exploit
fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_useo.html · Third Party Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog · US Government Resource
CISA KEV · CVE-2015-1701

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