Actively exploited · Published Aug 9, 2016 · Assigned by microsoft

CVE-2016-3309

High 7.8 Exploited Ransomware

In plain English

A high-severity security flaw in Windows from Microsoft. Attackers are actively exploiting it in the wild (listed by CISA on March 15, 2022). It has been used in ransomware campaigns. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 20.5% (higher than 98% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: public proof-of-concept code. Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.8High

Exploit odds (30 days)20.5%top 2.5% of all CVEs

Exploited in the wildYesCISA KEV since Mar 15, 2022

Attack tooling1Public PoC

CISA guidance

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Federal agencies must remediate by Apr 5, 2022.

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.

Affected products (as reported)

Vendor	Product	Versions
n/a	n/a	n/a

References

MS16-098 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_MS
42960 exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
1036572 vdb-entry, x_refsource_SECTRACK
92297 vdb-entry, x_refsource_BID
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3309 government-resource