Microsoft Windows Win32k Kernel-Mode Driver Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2015-2360, MS15-061)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTWindows Server 2003/2008/2012, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows RT systems
Local attackers can execute a crafted application to gain elevated SYSTEM privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption)
Immediately apply the Microsoft official security patch (MS15-061) and restrict local execution privileges on unpatched assets
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Deploy the MS15-061 security update to resolve the vulnerability. For managed environments, the update can be initiated via PowerShell.
# Install the specific KB update associated with MS15-061 using PSWindowsUpdate
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force -Verbose
Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KB3057839 -Install -AcceptAll -AutoReboot2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
Because this is a kernel-level vulnerability, there are no direct workarounds other than applying the patch. However, restricting execution in user-writable directories mitigates the risk of local exploit execution.
# Restrict execution of untrusted binaries in Temp directories via Software Restriction Policies
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\0\Paths\{restrict-temp}' -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\0\Paths\{restrict-temp}' -Name 'ItemData' -Value '%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp' -PropertyType String -Force3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Verify the patch status by checking the file version of win32k.sys on the target system.
# Query the file version of win32k.sys to verify patch compliance
$sysPath = Join-Path $env:SystemRoot 'System32\win32k.sys'
if (Test-Path $sysPath) {
$fileVersion = (Get-Item $sysPath).VersionInfo.FileVersion
Write-Output "Current win32k.sys File Version: $fileVersion"
# Compare this version against the minimum patched version specified in MS15-061
}Block Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2015-2360) is a Use-After-Free (CWE-416) and memory corruption (CWE-119) flaw within the Windows kernel-mode driver win32k.sys. It occurs due to improper handling of window objects and GDI (Graphics Device Interface) structures in kernel memory, allowing dangling pointers to remain active after the associated memory has been freed.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
A local attacker with low-privilege access executes a specially crafted user-mode application. This application triggers the allocation and subsequent deallocation of specific window or menu objects within win32k.sys. By reclaiming the freed memory space with attacker-controlled data before the kernel re-references the pointer, the attacker hijacks the kernel execution flow to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As a vulnerability listed in the CISA KEV catalog, CVE-2015-2360 has been actively exploited in the wild. Successful exploitation bypasses all operating system security boundaries, allowing an attacker who has gained initial access to fully compromise the host, deploy ransomware, or pivot laterally across the enterprise network.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
win32k.sys in 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 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2015-2360)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2015-2360 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2015-2360 is rated CVSS 8.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 14.8%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2015-2360?
Primary impacted vendors include microsoft across windows, windows_server. Scope summary: Windows Server 2003 SP2/R2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2/R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8/8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold/R2, Windows RT Gold/8.1
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2015-2360 before patching?
[Mitigation] Immediately apply the Microsoft official security patch (MS15-061) and restrict local execution privileges on unpatched assets Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2015-2360
Instantly format this advisory into an executive CISO summary or engineering patch ticket.
🔗 Related Advisories in Similar Stack (microsoft)
View Category →Windows IKE Extension Double Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2026-33824)
[Affected Scope] Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Extension service running on Microsoft Windows and Windows Server operating systems
Windows AFD.sys Use-After-Free Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2026-68820) Security Advisory
[Affected Scope] Systems running Microsoft Windows operating systems utilizing the Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (afd.sys)
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager (RasMan) Null Pointer Dereference Local DoS Vulnerability (CVE-2026-21525) Technical Advisory
[Affected Scope] Windows and Windows Server operating systems utilizing the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager (RasMan) service.
Windows ALPC Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2026-85880) Security Advisory
[Affected Scope] Locally authenticated users across Microsoft Windows operating systems
Subscribe to Daily Vulnerability Briefings & KEV Alerts
Concise morning briefings for SecOps, DevSecOps, and SRE teams covering newly exploited CVEs and mitigation priorities.