CVE-2016-3373

MEDIUM

Microsoft Windows - Unauthenticated Information Disclosure via Registry Access Control

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2016-3373. PoCs published by Google Security Research.

AI-analyzed exploit summary The provided C# code demonstrates an elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability in Windows 10 (10586) by enumerating per-application registry hives loaded via RegLoadAppKey, which are supposed to be non-enumerable. The PoC bypasses the intended security boundary by recursively opening registry keys, allowing access to writable hives like the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) hive.

Description

The kernel API 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, 1511, and 1607 does not properly implement registry access control, which allows local users to obtain sensitive account information via a crafted application, aka "Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · localwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40430

The provided C# code demonstrates an elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability in Windows 10 (10586) by enumerating per-application registry hives loaded via RegLoadAppKey, which are supposed to be non-enumerable. The PoC bypasses the intended security boundary by recursively opening registry keys, allowing access to writable hives like the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) hive.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows 10 10586 (and potentially other versions)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local user access on the target system · Presence of vulnerable registry hives (e.g., PCA hive)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036802
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92845
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40430/

Scores

CVSS v3 5.5
EPSS 0.1747
EPSS Percentile 96.7%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (11)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_10 1511
microsoft/windows_10 1607
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
... and 1 more
Published Sep 14, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026