CVE-2015-2517

Microsoft Windows - Local Privilege Escalation via Win32k Memory Corruption

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2015-2517. PoCs published by Nils Sommer.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates a use-after-free vulnerability in Windows 7 involving the global cursor object (_gpqCursor), leading to a system crash when Special Pool is enabled. The PoC is provided as a C++ file (poc.cpp) with compilation and execution instructions.

Description

The kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Memory Corruption Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2511, CVE-2015-2518, and CVE-2015-2546.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Nils Sommer · textdoswindows_x86
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/38278

This exploit demonstrates a use-after-free vulnerability in Windows 7 involving the global cursor object (_gpqCursor), leading to a system crash when Special Pool is enabled. The PoC is provided as a C++ file (poc.cpp) with compilation and execution instructions.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows 7
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Windows 7 with Special Pool enabled
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033485
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ms
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-097
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/38278/
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76606

Scores

EPSS 0.0419
EPSS Percentile 89.6%

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (11)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_7
microsoft/windows_8
microsoft/windows_8.1
microsoft/windows_rt
microsoft/windows_rt_8.1
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 Sep 09, 2015
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026