CVE-2015-1701
Confirmed PUBLISHEDWin32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
- CVE Published
- Apr 21, 2015
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 03, 2022
- CVSS
- 7.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- MS15-051 docs.microsoft.com · Vendor Advisory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2...
- 37049 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37049/
- 37367 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37367/
- 74245 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/74245
- 1032155 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032155
Show 3 more references
- 20200514 KL-001-2020-002 : Cellebrite Restricted Desktop Escape and Escalation of User Privilege seclists.org · Mailing List http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34
- twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440 twitter.com · CVE Record http://twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440
- fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_... fireeye.com · CVE Record https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_u...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-03-03 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/ms15_051_client_copy_image.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-03-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2022-03-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2015-05-12 18:04:48 UTC · GitHub
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/ms15_051_client_copy_image.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2022-03-21 06:39:18 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2022-03-21 06:26:21 UTC · 0 stars
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Windows before 8 allows local users to gain privileges via unknown vectors, as exploited in the wild in April 2015 (Base Score: 7.2 HIGH) Current Description Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
github · Created 2015-05-12 18:04:48 UTC · 287 stars
Win32k LPE vulnerability used in APT attack
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:03 UTC about 1 year ago15:03 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
18:04 UTC about 11 years ago18:04 UTC · about 11 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
10:00 UTC over 11 years ago10:00 UTC · over 11 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 11 years ago00:00 UTC · over 11 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2015-1701
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2015-1701",
"title": "Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, V...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Windows",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}