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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2015-2546

HighExploitedPublic exploit

The kernel-mode driver 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 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k…

Published Sep 8, 2015 · Updated Aug 14, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2015-2546 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.2 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 1507 (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 Sep 8, 2015 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 10% 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

8.2

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

10%

Higher than 95.6% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings, used by ransomware

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2015-2546 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

The kernel-mode driver 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 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Memory Corruption Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2511, CVE-2015-2517, and CVE-2015-2518.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVMar 15, 2022Apr 5, 2022Known
Industry KEV feedSep 8, 2015Apr 5, 2022Known
CIRCL KEVMar 15, 2022Apr 5, 2022Known
ENISA EUVDMar 15, 2022n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Products

12 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Windows 10 1507MicrosoftSee advisoryn/a
Windows 7MicrosoftSee advisoryn/a
Windows 8MicrosoftSee advisoryn/a
Windows 8.1MicrosoftSee advisoryn/a
Windows RtMicrosoftSee advisoryn/a
4 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    Sep 8, 2015

  2. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Sep 8, 2015

  3. Added to CISA KEV

    Mar 15, 2022

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    Mar 15, 2022

  5. Added to ENISA EUVD

    Mar 15, 2022

  6. Last updated

    Aug 14, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

References

6 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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