CVE-2016-0173 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
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 and 1511 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0171, CVE-2016-0174, and CVE-2016-0196.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0173 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Windows kernel-mode drivers, specifically affecting multiple versions of the windows 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 and 1511. this vulnerability operates at the kernel level and is categorized under the common weakness enumeration cwe 264 permissions privileges and access controls which indicates a fundamental flaw in how the system handles privilege boundaries. the flaw enables local attackers to execute malicious code that can elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access, fundamentally compromising the security model of the operating system.
the technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the win32k.sys driver which serves as the user-mode to kernel-mode interface for graphics and windowing functionality in windows operating systems. this driver handles various user interface components including window management, graphics rendering, and input processing. the flaw occurs when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters during specific operations, allowing an attacker to manipulate kernel memory structures through crafted application code. this particular vulnerability is distinct from other related issues such as CVE-2016-0171 CVE-2016-0174 and CVE-2016-0196 which demonstrates that multiple vulnerabilities exist within the same driver component but with different exploitation vectors.
the operational impact of CVE-2016-0173 is severe and far-reaching within enterprise and individual computing environments. once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain complete system compromise without requiring network access or authentication credentials, as the attack occurs locally within the target system. this privilege escalation capability allows malicious actors to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access encrypted data, and perform other malicious activities that would otherwise be restricted to system-level processes. the vulnerability affects all supported versions of windows mentioned in the cve description, creating a widespread attack surface that organizations must address through immediate patching and security hardening measures. organizations running these affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0173 should include immediate deployment of microsoft security patches released in the january 2016 security update bulletin. system administrators should also implement additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary user privileges, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious process activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. from an att&ck framework perspective this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be used to establish persistence within a compromised system. organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with kernel-mode exploitation attempts. the vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can provide attackers with the most dangerous forms of access within a computing environment.