CVE-2015-6175KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

High · published December 9, 2015

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 7.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 92.5th percentile for exploit probability.

1591
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
5%
Percentile
92.5
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

⚡ Local users can exploit a sneaky privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows 10 Gold, gaining unauthorized access with a crafted application! Think of it like a hotel receptionist giving a guest a master key without proper verification, allowing access to every room in the hotel. In this case, the crafted application is the fake ID that tricks the system into granting access where it shouldn't. If an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they could gain elevated privileges on the system. This means they could execute arbitrary code, access sensitive information, or take complete control of the affected machine, leading to absolutely devastating consequences for users and businesses alike.

Put simply

Think of it like a hotel receptionist giving a guest a master key without proper verification, allowing access to every room in the hotel. In this case, the crafted application is the fake ID that tricks the system into granting access where it shouldn't. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of Windows Kernel memory, allowing local users to elevate their privileges through specially crafted applications. Essentially, a security oversight in the kernel code means it accepts operations that should be restricted.

What to do

If an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they could gain elevated privileges on the system. This means they could execute arbitrary code, access sensitive information, or take complete control of the affected machine, leading to absolutely devastating consequences for users and businesses alike. To mitigate this, ensure your Windows 10 Gold systems are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft. Regularly audit your applications and limit user access to only those necessary. Don't forget to monitor for any unusual activity on your systems! You've got this! With a few updates and vigilance, your system will be secured in no time. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.05325 · 92.5th percentile
Published
2015-12-09T11:00Z
KEV added
2022-05-25 · due 2022-06-15
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 25 MAY 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Jun 15
    kev
  • 09 DEC 11:00Z
    The kernel in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Kernel Memory Elevation of Privilege…
    cvelistv5