CVE-2016-0165
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Microsoft Win32k
The kernel-mode driver 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 and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0143 and CVE-2016-0167.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 22 June 2023. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 13 July 2023.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 13.7%, which is higher than 96.5% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2016-0165 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2016-0165.
What does CVE-2016-0165 affect?
CVE-2016-0165 affects Microsoft Win32k. The kernel-mode driver 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 and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0143 and CVE-2016-0167.
How severe is CVE-2016-0165?
CVE-2016-0165 is rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 13.7%, higher than 96.5% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 13 July 2023.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2016-0165?
Apply the vendor patch for Microsoft Win32k as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.