Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Windows kernel flaw lets someone who can run a crafted local application raise their privileges. It affects several older Windows desktop and server releases. Because CISA lists it in KEV, organizations should treat unpatched legacy systems as actively exploitable exposure, not a theoretical risk.
Executive priority
Prioritize this above routine patching for any affected Windows estate. KEV status means exploitation has been observed, and the impact is full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise after successful local execution.
Technical view
CVE-2016-0167 is a Win32k kernel-mode driver elevation-of-privilege vulnerability. The CVE describes local privilege gain via a crafted application across Windows Vista SP2, Server 2008, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Server 2012, Windows RT 8.1, and early Windows 10 releases. Microsoft addressed it in MS16-039.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on legacy or unmaintained Windows endpoints and servers matching the affected versions, especially where MS16-039 or superseding updates are missing. The bundle lists no affected non-Microsoft products.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV marks CVE-2016-0167 as known exploited. The provided sources do not identify campaigns, exploit tooling, indicators, or whether exploitation is currently widespread. Treat this as post-compromise privilege escalation risk after local code execution.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports local elevation of privilege in Win32k, not remote initial access. CVSS is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, user interaction required, and high impact. The bundle distinguishes this from CVE-2016-0143 and CVE-2016-0165.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft MS16-039 updates or superseding cumulative updates where supported.
- Check Microsoft guidance for platform-specific KBs and prerequisites.
- Retire or isolate unsupported affected Windows versions.
- Prioritize remediation through the organization’s KEV handling process.
- Limit untrusted local application execution until remediation is confirmed.
Validation and detection
- Identify assets running affected Windows versions listed in the CVE description.
- Verify MS16-039 or superseding updates are installed.
- Confirm unsupported affected systems are isolated or retired.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious local privilege-escalation activity.
- Document exceptions with compensating controls and owner approval.
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.
Privilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-0167 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
- MS16-039CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_MS
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0167CVE 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.