CVE-2016-0070 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel 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 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that makes an API call to access sensitive information in the registry, aka "Windows Kernel Local Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw in the Windows kernel that affects multiple versions of the operating system including vista sp2 server 2008 sp2 and r2 sp1 windows 7 sp1 windows 81 windows server 2012 gold and r2 windows rt 81 and windows 10 gold 1511 and 1607. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of registry access permissions within kernel mode components that handle api calls from user applications. according to cwe classification this represents a weakness in the kernel's privilege checking mechanisms where insufficient validation allows unprivileged user processes to access restricted registry keys that should only be accessible to system level processes. the vulnerability specifically manifests when a crafted application makes api calls that bypass normal access controls and can directly read or modify registry entries that contain sensitive system information or configuration data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper kernel mode privilege validation where registry access checks fail to properly enforce access control lists and security descriptors. when a malicious application makes specific api calls to registry functions the kernel fails to validate whether the calling process has sufficient privileges to access the target registry keys. this allows local attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level by accessing registry entries that contain critical system configuration data or security parameters. the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the kernel space and leverages legitimate api calls that are normally permitted for user applications, making detection and prevention significantly more challenging. from an attack perspective this aligns with att&ck technique t1068 privilege escalation through kernel exploits and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking in kernel mode components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides local attackers with complete system compromise capabilities without requiring any network connectivity or external attack vectors. once successfully exploited the attacker gains system level privileges which enables them to modify any system files registry entries or security policies, effectively providing full control over the affected system. the vulnerability affects a broad range of microsoft operating systems making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple versions may be in use simultaneously. organizations running these affected versions face significant risk as a local attacker with basic user privileges can escalate to system level access, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. the vulnerability's persistence across multiple windows versions also means that organizations may have multiple vulnerable systems in their environment without realizing it, creating a widespread attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application as microsoft released security updates to address the kernel privilege checking flaws. organizations should prioritize deployment of the relevant security patches for their specific windows versions and ensure that all systems are updated promptly. additional mitigations include implementing strict user access controls and limiting local user privileges where possible, enabling windows defender application control or applocker policies to restrict execution of unauthorized applications, and monitoring for suspicious registry access patterns through system logging and security information event management tools. administrators should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly audit system access controls to minimize potential exploitation vectors. from a compliance perspective this vulnerability aligns with various security standards including nist 80053 and iso 27001 requirements for privilege management and access control enforcement, making proper mitigation essential for regulatory compliance and risk management purposes.