CVE-2015-0096
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitUntrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 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 via a Trojan…
Published Mar 11, 2015 · Updated May 6, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2015-0096 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Windows 7 (Microsoft), Windows 8 (Microsoft), Windows 8.1 (Microsoft) and 6 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Dec 15, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 71% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v2
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
71%
Higher than 99.3% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2015-0096 brief as a PDF
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Description
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 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 via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, leading to DLL loading during Windows Explorer access to the icon of a crafted shortcut, aka "DLL Planting Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Dec 15, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
12 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 7Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 8Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 8.1Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows RtMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows Rt 8.1Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 11, 2015
Added to Industry KEV feed
Dec 15, 2021
Last updated
May 6, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path
References
- advisory72894
- advisory1031890
- patchMS15-020
- exploitMSF cve_2017_8464_lnk_rce.rb
- exploitMSF ms15_020_shortcut_icon_dllloader.rb
FAQ
Common Questions.
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 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 via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working direct…
Affected: Windows 7 (Microsoft); Windows 8 (Microsoft); Windows 8.1 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Dec 15, 2021.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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