CVE-2016-0173

HIGH

Windows - Local Privilege Escalation via Win32k Bitmap Use-After-Free

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2016-0173. PoCs published by Nils Sommer.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a vulnerability in win32k.sys on 32-bit Windows 7 systems, causing a crash when special pool is enabled. It requires multiple runs to reproduce and is tested on a single-core VM.

Description

The kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0171, CVE-2016-0174, and CVE-2016-0196.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Nils Sommer · textdoswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39960

This exploit targets a vulnerability in win32k.sys on 32-bit Windows 7 systems, causing a crash when special pool is enabled. It requires multiple runs to reproduce and is tested on a single-core VM.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Racy
Target: Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit (win32k.sys)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: 32-bit Windows 7 with special pool enabled · Local access to execute the PoC
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (7)

Core 7
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035841
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-16-279
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90064
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39960/

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0366
EPSS Percentile 88.2%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (10)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_10 1511
microsoft/windows_7
microsoft/windows_8.1
microsoft/windows_rt_8.1
microsoft/windows_server_2008
microsoft/windows_server_2008 r2 sp1
microsoft/windows_server_2012
microsoft/windows_server_2012 r2
microsoft/windows_vista
Published May 11, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026