Actively exploited · Published Feb 10, 2016 · Assigned by microsoft

CVE-2016-0040

High 7.8 Exploited

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 28, 2022). The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 24.3% (higher than 98% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: Metasploit, public proof-of-concept code. Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.8High

Exploit odds (30 days)24.3%top 2.1% of all CVEs

Exploited in the wildYesCISA KEV since Mar 28, 2022

Attack tooling2Metasploit, Public PoC

CISA guidance

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Federal agencies must remediate by Apr 18, 2022.

Official description

The kernel in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Affected products (as reported)

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

References

1034985 vdb-entry, x_refsource_SECTRACK
44586 exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
MS16-014 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_MS
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0040 government-resource