CVE-2016-7188

HIGH

Windows 10 - Privilege Escalation via Standard Collector Service Library Loading

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2016-7188. PoCs published by Google Security Research.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a DLL hijacking vulnerability in the Windows Diagnostics Hub service by creating a named stream in the system32 directory, allowing arbitrary DLL loading with system privileges. The PoC demonstrates the flaw by abusing the insufficient fix for CVE-2016-3231.

Description

The Standard Collector Service in Windows Diagnostics Hub in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 mishandles library loading, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Diagnostics Hub Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · c++localwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40562

This exploit leverages a DLL hijacking vulnerability in the Windows Diagnostics Hub service by creating a named stream in the system32 directory, allowing arbitrary DLL loading with system privileges. The PoC demonstrates the flaw by abusing the insufficient fix for CVE-2016-3231.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows 10 10586 (Diagnostics Hub Service)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Write access to a directory with FILE_ADD_FILE rights (e.g., system32\tasks) · A DLL matching the system's bitness
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/1036997
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93359
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40562/

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0295
EPSS Percentile 86.8%
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 (3)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_10 1511
microsoft/windows_10 1607
Published Oct 14, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026