CVE DATABASE / CVE-2016-0040
CVE-2016-0040
Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVSS 7.8 · HIGH
⚠ CISA KEV — ACTIVELY EXPLOITED
On the CISA KEV catalog
Confirmed exploited in the wild. Added 2022-03-28.
Federal remediation due 2022-04-18.
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Summary
The kernel in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
CVSS 3.1 breakdown
| Base score | 7.8 (HIGH) |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Attack vector | LOCAL |
| Attack complexity | LOW |
| Privileges required | NONE |
| User interaction | REQUIRED |
| Scope | UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality | HIGH |
| Integrity | HIGH |
| Availability | HIGH |
Affected products
Microsoft windows 7Microsoft windows server 2008Microsoft windows vista
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References
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034985
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-014
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44586/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0040
Data: NIST NVD + CISA KEV. NVD last modified 2026-04-22. Always verify against the vendor advisory before acting.