CVE-2015-2554

Microsoft Windows - Local Privilege Escalation via Object Reference

Title source: llm

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2015-2554. PoCs published by Google Security Research.

AI-analyzed exploit summary The exploit leverages the NtCreateLowBoxToken API to capture arbitrary handles, creating a reference cycle that prevents kernel objects from being released. This can lead to local DoS or privilege escalation by maintaining process objects and tokens across user sessions.

Description

The kernel in Microsoft 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 "Windows Object Reference Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED

by Google Security Research · textdoswindows

https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/38580

View Code ZIP pw:eip

The exploit leverages the NtCreateLowBoxToken API to capture arbitrary handles, creating a reference cycle that prevents kernel objects from being released. This can lead to local DoS or privilege escalation by maintaining process objects and tokens across user sessions.

Classification

Working Poc 90%

Attack Type

Lpe | Dos

Complexity

Moderate

Reliability

Reliable

Target: Windows 8.1 Update, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012

Auth required

Prerequisites: Local user access · Ability to execute arbitrary code

MITRE ATT&CK

T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service

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/1033805

Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db

https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/38580/

Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ms

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-111

Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76998

Scores

EPSS 0.0355

EPSS Percentile 87.8%

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 Oct 14, 2015

Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026