CVE-2015-0057

Windows win32k.sys - Local Privilege Escalation via Crafted Application

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 4 public exploits for CVE-2015-0057. PoCs published by Jean-Jamil Khalife, AmazingOut, highandhigh.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This is a writeup for CVE-2015-0057, a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows 8.1 (x64) affecting win32k.sys. The provided link points to a binary exploit, but no actual code is included in the text.

Description

win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Exploits (4)

exploitdb WRITEUP VERIFIED
by Jean-Jamil Khalife · textlocalwindows_x86-64
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39035

This is a writeup for CVE-2015-0057, a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows 8.1 (x64) affecting win32k.sys. The provided link points to a binary exploit, but no actual code is included in the text.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (x64)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Binary exploit from the provided link
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by AmazingOut · cpoc
https://github.com/AmazingOut/CVE_POC/tree/main/CVE-2015-0057

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2015-0057, a Windows kernel vulnerability involving HMValidateHandle and heap spraying. The code demonstrates a local privilege escalation (LPE) by manipulating window objects and hooking ClientLoadLibrary.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (affected versions include Windows 7, 8, and 10)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Ability to execute arbitrary code on the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by highandhigh · poc
https://github.com/highandhigh/CVE-2015-0057

This is a detailed technical writeup explaining the exploitation of CVE-2015-0057, a use-after-free vulnerability in win32k.sys affecting Windows systems from XP to 8.1. It describes the vulnerability, exploitation techniques, and user-mode callback mechanisms.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (XP to 8.1) win32k.sys
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable Windows system · Ability to execute arbitrary code in user mode
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
localwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37098

This exploit leverages a Windows kernel vulnerability (CVE-2015-0057) to achieve local privilege escalation by manipulating the WM_SYSTIMER message handling mechanism. It replaces the primary token of the current process with that of the SYSTEM process, granting elevated privileges.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows XP/2K3/VISTA/2K8/7 (x86/x64)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Vulnerable Windows kernel version
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39035/
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ms
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-010
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/72466
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/100431

Scores

EPSS 0.6840
EPSS Percentile 98.6%

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (11)
microsoft/windows_7
microsoft/windows_8
microsoft/windows_8.1
microsoft/windows_rt
microsoft/windows_rt_8.1
microsoft/windows_server_2003
microsoft/windows_server_2008
microsoft/windows_server_2008 r2 sp1 (2 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_server_2012
microsoft/windows_server_2012 r2
... and 1 more
Published Feb 11, 2015
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026