CVE-2015-1701
High 7.8 Exploited in the wild (KEV) Used in ransomware campaigns
Confirmed active exploitation — CISA KEV catalog
- Name
- Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Added to catalog
- Remediation due date (US federal)
- Required action
- Apply updates per vendor instructions.
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."
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
7.8 (HIGH)
Score source: NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - EPSS — exploit probability
- 56% (percentile: 99) as of 1 November 2026
Affected products
microsoft: windows 2003 server; microsoft: windows 7; microsoft: windows server 2008; microsoft: windows vista
References
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-0… PatchVendor Advisory
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-0… PatchVendor Advisory
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37049/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37367/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37049/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37367/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34 Broken LinkMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440 Press/Media Coverage
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/74245 Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032155 Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry