Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2016-0151 is a Windows privilege-escalation issue in CSRSS token handling. An attacker who can run a crafted application locally could gain higher privileges. CISA lists it in KEV, so treat it as known exploited and prioritize remaining exposed legacy Windows systems.
Executive priority
High priority for legacy Windows environments because CISA KEV indicates known exploitation and successful abuse can elevate privileges. Internet exposure is not the main driver; business risk comes from post-compromise escalation on unpatched endpoints or servers.
Technical view
The CVE describes CSRSS mismanagement of process tokens on Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold/R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold/1511. It is classified as CWE-269 with CVSS 7.8, local attack vector, low complexity, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on systems still running the Windows versions named in the CVE description and missing the MS16-048 security update. The bundle does not provide exact patch KBs, vulnerable build ranges beyond those names, or environmental prerequisites.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status supports known exploitation. Exploit-DB is listed as a public exploit reference, but the source bundle does not establish current campaign activity, malware families, or remote exploitation. The flaw requires local execution of a crafted application.
Researcher notes
The supplied evidence supports a local privilege-escalation/security-feature-bypass analysis, not remote code execution. Affected products are taken from the CVE description. Patch specifics should be validated against MS16-048 because the bundle does not include KB-level details.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft MS16-048 security updates where applicable.
- Prioritize assets matching the Windows versions named in the CVE.
- Consult Microsoft guidance for exact update applicability and replacement paths.
- Restrict untrusted local code execution on exposed legacy systems.
- Monitor privileged process creation on systems awaiting remediation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012/R2, RT 8.1, and Windows 10 1507/1511 systems.
- Verify MS16-048 or superseding Microsoft security updates are installed.
- Confirm vulnerability scanner detection for CVE-2016-0151 is cleared.
- Check CISA KEV tracking for required remediation deadlines.
- Review endpoint telemetry for unusual local privilege escalation behavior.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-269: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-0151 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- MS16-048CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_MS
- 39740CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0151CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Privilege Management
Improper Privilege Management represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.