---
id: "CVE-2016-0165"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2016-0165"]
title: "The kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows\u2026"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Win32k", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1507", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1511", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 7", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 8.1", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows rt 8.1", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2008", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2008", "fixed": [], "affected": "= r2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2012", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2012", "fixed": [], "affected": "= r2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows vista", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-windows"]
published_at: "2016-04-12T23:59:28+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2016-0165", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-0165", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"}]
---

# The kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows…

Microsoft Win32k, the Windows kernel graphics driver, has a flaw that lets a local user gain higher privileges. CISA lists it as actively exploited in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Win32k affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1507 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1511 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 7 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 8.1 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows rt 8.1 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2008 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2008 affected = r2 fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2012 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2012 affected = r2 fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows vista affected ? fixed ?

## Fix

Apply the Microsoft update for CVE-2016-0165 (MS16-039) per vendor instructions, as CISA requires.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2016-0165
- 2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-0165

## From the sources

The kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0143 and CVE-2016-0167.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_