CVE-2015-2546: Microsoft Win32k Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2015-2546 is a high (CVSS 8.2) vulnerability in Microsoft Win32k. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 15-03-2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 10.11% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 95.6% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 09-09-2015
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 15-03-2022
   Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Win32k Memory Corruption Vulnerability
3. 05-04-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 14-08-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory BufferThe product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it reads from or writes to a memory location outside the buffer's intended boundary. This may result in read or write operations on unexpected memory locations that could be linked to other variables, data structures, or internal program data.