Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-018 - Important
Security Update for Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers to Address Elevation of Privilege (3136082)
Published: February 9, 2016 | Updated: February 24, 2016
Version: 1.1
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to an affected system and runs a specially crafted application.
This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows. For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Kernel-mode driver handles objects in memory. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section.
For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3136082.
Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings
The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
The severity ratings indicated for each affected software assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin’s release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the February bulletin summary.
| Operating System | Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2016-0048 | Updates Replaced* |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Vista | ||
| Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 | ||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows 7 | ||
| Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | ||
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows 8.1 | ||
| Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 | ||
| Windows Server 2012 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124001 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124001 in MS16-005 |
| Windows RT 8.1 | ||
| Windows RT 8.1[1](3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows 10 | ||
| Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems[2](3135174) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124266 |
| Windows 10 for x64-based Systems[2](3135174) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124266 |
| Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems[2](3135173) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124263 |
| Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems[2](3135173) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124263 |
| Server Core installation option | ||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124000 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124001 in MS16-005 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) (3134214) | Important Elevation of Privilege | 3124001 in MS16-005 |
[1]This update is only available via Windows Update.
[2]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. In addition to containing non-security updates, they also contain all of the security fixes for all of the Windows 10-affected vulnerabilities shipping with the monthly security release. The update is available via the Windows Update Catalog.
Note Windows Server Technical Preview 4 is affected. Customers running these operating systems are encouraged to apply the update, which is available via Windows Update.
*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the Package Details tab).
Vulnerability Information
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2016-0048
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system. The update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel-mode driver handles objects in memory.
The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:
| Vulnerability title | CVE number | Publicly disclosed | Exploited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | CVE-2016-0048 | No | No |
Mitigating Factors
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
Workarounds
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
Security Update Deployment
For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary.
Acknowledgments
Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information.
Disclaimer
The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
Revisions
- V1.0 (February 9, 2016): Bulletin published.
- V1.1 (February 24, 2016): Corrected the Updates Replaced for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 to 3124001 in MS16-005. This is an informational change only.
Page generated 2016-02-24 13:54-08:00.