Microsoft Windows up to Vista Kernel Mode Driver null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Vista. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Kernel Mode Driver. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability was named CVE-2015-1721. The attack needs to be approached locally. In addition, an exploit is available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Vista (Operating System). This affects some unknown processing of the component Kernel Mode Driver. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2 and R2 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allow local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Null Pointer Dereference Vulnerability."

The weakness was presented 06/10/2015 by Nils with Google Project Zero as MS15-061 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at technet.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2015-1721 since 02/17/2015. An attack has to be approached locally. Required for exploitation is a authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

The exploit is shared for download at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 84059 (MS15-061: Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3057839)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 91059 (Microsoft Windows Kernel-Mode Driver Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (MS15-061)).

Applying the patch MS15-061 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at technet.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (84059), SecurityFocus (BID 74998†), SecurityTracker (ID 1032525†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-50473†). See VDB-75751, VDB-75752, VDB-75754 and VDB-75755 for similar entries. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.8

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

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Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 84059
Nessus Name: MS15-061: Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3057839)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: MS15-061
Fortigate IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/17/2015 🔍
06/09/2015 +112 days 🔍
06/09/2015 +0 days 🔍
06/09/2015 +0 days 🔍
06/09/2015 +0 days 🔍
06/10/2015 +1 days 🔍
06/10/2015 +0 days 🔍
06/10/2015 +0 days 🔍
06/10/2015 +0 days 🔍
07/06/2025 +3679 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS15-061
Researcher: Nils
Organization: Google Project Zero
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2015-1721 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2015-1721
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-75753

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 74998 - Microsoft Windows Kernel 'Win32k.sys' CVE-2015-1721 Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
SecurityTracker: 1032525 - Windows Kernel Lets Local Users Obtain Potentially Sensitive Information and Gain Elevated Privileges
Vulnerability Center: 50473 - [MS15-061] Microsoft Windows Local Privilege Escalation due to Insufficient Validation of Data Passed from User Mode, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20140213
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/10/2015 10:12
Updated: 07/06/2025 23:08
Changes: 06/10/2015 10:12 (67), 04/19/2017 10:44 (13), 05/20/2022 10:25 (3), 05/20/2022 10:30 (1), 07/06/2025 23:08 (22)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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