CVE-2016-7185

HIGH

Microsoft Windows - Local Privilege Escalation via Win32k Kernel-Mode Driver

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2016-7185. PoCs published by Google Security Research.

AI-analyzed exploit summary The exploit demonstrates an elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability in the Windows DFS Client Driver by manipulating symbolic links for drive letters. It leverages the DfscFsctrlCreateDriveLetter and DfscFsctrlRemoveDriveLetter IOCTLs to create and delete arbitrary drive mappings, allowing a user to redirect system-critical paths like C: to a controlled location.

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, 1511, and 1607 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3266, CVE-2016-3376, and CVE-2016-7211.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · localwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40572

The exploit demonstrates an elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability in the Windows DFS Client Driver by manipulating symbolic links for drive letters. It leverages the DfscFsctrlCreateDriveLetter and DfscFsctrlRemoveDriveLetter IOCTLs to create and delete arbitrary drive mappings, allowing a user to redirect system-critical paths like C: to a controlled location.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows 10 10586, DFS Client Driver
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a DFS share · Compiled as Any CPU or correct bitness · Domain-joined system (likely)
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/1036996
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40572/
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93389

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0338
EPSS Percentile 87.2%
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 (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 Oct 14, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026