CVE-2016-3266: Critical severity windows 10 vulnerability

Published Oct 14, 2016

Updated

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-2016-3376, CVE-2016-7185, and CVE-2016-7211.

Affected Software

11 affected components

Microsoft Windows 10

Microsoft Windows 10=1511

Microsoft Windows 10=1607

Microsoft Windows 7=sp1

Microsoft Windows 8.1

Microsoft Windows RT 8.1

Microsoft Windows Server 2008=sp2

Microsoft Windows Server 2008=r2-sp1

Microsoft Windows Server 2012

Microsoft Windows Server 2012=r2

Microsoft Windows Vista=sp2

Event History

Oct 14, 2016

CVE Published

via MITRE·01:00 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·01:00 AM

Description

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2016-3266?

CVE-2016-3266 has a critical severity rating due to the potential for local users to gain elevated privileges.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3266?

To mitigate CVE-2016-3266, apply the relevant security updates provided by Microsoft.

Which versions of Windows are affected by CVE-2016-3266?

CVE-2016-3266 affects multiple versions including Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, and various versions of Windows Server.

What kind of attack does CVE-2016-3266 enable?

CVE-2016-3266 allows local users to craft applications that can exploit the vulnerability to gain higher system privileges.

Is there a workaround for CVE-2016-3266?

There are no specific workarounds for CVE-2016-3266; updating the system is the recommended method of remediation.