Track vulnerabilities like this one. Sign up free to get alerted when software you use is affected.
7.3

Windows kernel drivers let local user gain admin rights

CVE-2016-3286 · published 10 years ago
Summary

Certain Windows versions (including Windows 7, 8.1, 10, Server 2008 and others) have a flaw in their core system drivers. A person with access to the computer could run a specially crafted program to increase their privileges, potentially taking control of the system. Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft to fix the issue.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software
VendorProductAffected versions
microsoft windows_10 1511
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_7 All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_8.1 All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_rt_8.1 All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_server_2008 r2
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_server_2012 r2
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_vista All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
Original advisory text
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...
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-2016-3249, CVE-2016-3252, and CVE-2016-3254.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 14 days
Internal At next upgrade
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Needs hands-on effort to exploit (estimated)
  • Gives an attacker full control (estimated)
Severity
7.3 High
Exploitation
3% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-264Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls
Timeline
Published13 Jul 2016
Updated29 Oct 2026
First seen29 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2016-3286 · NVD
Track software like this
Free during beta