CVE-2015-1769
MediumExploitedPublic exploitMount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary…
Published Aug 14, 2015 · Updated Apr 22, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2015-1769 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 6.6 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 (Microsoft), Windows 7 (Microsoft), Windows 8 (Microsoft) and 6 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 11, 2015. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 4.1% 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 v3.1
6.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
4.1%
Higher than 90.5% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2015-1769 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Mount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device, aka "Mount Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | May 25, 2022 | Jun 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Aug 11, 2015 | Jun 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | May 25, 2022 | Jun 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | May 25, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
12 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| 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 |
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 11, 2015
Publicly disclosed
Aug 14, 2015
Added to CISA KEV
May 25, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
May 25, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
May 25, 2022
Last updated
Apr 22, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-264
References
- advisoryhttp://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2015/08/11/defending-against-cve-2015-1769-a-logical-issue-exploited-via-a-malicious-usb-stick.aspx
- advisory1033244
- patchMS15-085
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
Mount Manager in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 mishandles symlinks, which allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device…
Affected: Windows 10 (Microsoft); Windows 7 (Microsoft); Windows 8 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 11, 2015.
Yes. It was added on May 25, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Jun 15, 2022.
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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