Microsoft Windows 10/Server 2016 VHD Driver File access control

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Microsoft Windows 10/Server 2016. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component VHD Driver. Performing a manipulation results in access control (File). This vulnerability was named CVE-2016-7226. The attack needs to be approached locally. In addition, an exploit is available. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Microsoft Windows 10/Server 2016 (Operating System). This affects an unknown functionality of the component VHD Driver. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability (File). CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-284. The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Virtual Hard Disk Driver in Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 and Windows Server 2016 does not properly restrict access to files, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "VHD Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

The weakness was presented 11/08/2016 by James Forshaw with Google Project Zero as MS16-138 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). It is possible to read the advisory at technet.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2016-7226 since 09/09/2016. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The successful exploitation needs a authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

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 $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 94639 (MS16-138: Security Update for Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk Driver (3199647)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 91296 (Microsoft Windows Security Update for Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk Driver (MS16-138)).

Applying the patch MS16-138 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 Exploit-DB (40763), Tenable (94639) and SecurityFocus (BID 94018†). See VDB-93420, VDB-93421 and VDB-93422 for similar entries. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.8

VulDB Base Score: 6.1
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 6.1
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Name: File
Class: Access control / File
CWE: CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 94639
Nessus Name: MS16-138: Security Update for Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk Driver (3199647)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 802074
OpenVAS Name: Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk Driver Multiple Vulnerabilities (3199647)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: MS16-138

Timelineinfo

09/09/2016 🔍
11/08/2016 +60 days 🔍
11/08/2016 +0 days 🔍
11/08/2016 +0 days 🔍
11/08/2016 +0 days 🔍
11/09/2016 +1 days 🔍
11/10/2016 +1 days 🔍
05/09/2025 +3102 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS16-138
Researcher: James Forshaw
Organization: Google Project Zero
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2016-7226 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2016-7226
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-93423

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 94018 - Microsoft Windows CVE-2016-7226 Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
SecurityTracker: 1037248

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 11/09/2016 10:50
Updated: 05/09/2025 12:32
Changes: 11/09/2016 10:50 (72), 05/28/2019 00:17 (16), 09/30/2022 09:40 (3), 05/09/2025 12:32 (14)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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