CVE-2015-6173

Microsoft Windows - Local Privilege Escalation via Kernel Memory Corruption

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2015-6173. PoCs published by Nils Sommer.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit triggers a use-after-free condition in win32k.sys on Windows 7 32-bit systems by manipulating bitmaps in the clipboard, leading to a kernel crash. Multiple executions and system activity may be required to reliably trigger the vulnerability.

Description

The kernel 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 Gold and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Kernel Memory Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6171 and CVE-2015-6174.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Nils Sommer · textdoswindows_x86
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39027

This exploit triggers a use-after-free condition in win32k.sys on Windows 7 32-bit systems by manipulating bitmaps in the clipboard, leading to a kernel crash. Multiple executions and system activity may be required to reliably trigger the vulnerability.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Racy
Target: Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit (win32k.sys)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Windows 7 32-bit with Special Pool enabled · Ability to execute arbitrary code on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (2)

Core 2
Core References
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ms
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-135
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034334

Scores

EPSS 0.0328
EPSS Percentile 86.8%

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (12)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_10 1511
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
... and 2 more
Published Dec 09, 2015
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026