Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-150 - Important

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Security Update for Secure Kernel Mode (3205642)

Published: December 13, 2016

Version: 1.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a locally-authenticated attacker runs a specially crafted application on a targeted system. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could violate virtual trust levels (VTL).

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016. For more information, see the Affected Software section.

The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows Secure Kernel Mode handles objects in memory properly enforce VTLs. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3205642.

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 December bulletin summary.

Note Please see the Security Update Guide for a new approach to consuming the security update information. You can customize your views and create affected software spreadsheets, as well as download data via a restful API. For more information, please see the Security Updates Guide FAQ. As a reminder, the Security Updates Guide will be replacing security bulletins as of February 2017. Please see our blog post, Furthering our commitment to security updates, for more details.

**Operating System** [**Secure Kernel Mode Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2016-7271**](http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=cve-2016-7271) **Updates Replaced**
**Windows 10**
[Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3205383)[1] (3205383) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3198585](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3198585)
[Windows 10 for x64-based Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3205383)[1] (3205383) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3198585](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3198585)
[Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3205386)[1] (3205386) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3198586](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3198586)
[Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3205386)[1] (3205386) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3198586](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3198586)
[Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3206632)[1] (3206632) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3200970](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200970)
[Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3206632) [1] (3206632) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3200970](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200970)
**Windows Server 2016**
[Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3206632)[1] (3206632) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3200970](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200970)
**Server Core installation option**
[Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems](http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3206632)[1](Server Core installation) (3206632) **Important**  Elevation of Privilege [3200970](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200970)
[1] Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the [Microsoft Update Catalog](http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/home.aspx). Please note that effective December 13, 2016, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 details for the Cumulative Updates will be documented in Release Notes. Please refer to the Release Notes for OS Build numbers, Known Issues, and affected file list information.

*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).

Note The vulnerability discussed in this bulletin affects Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5. Although an update is available for Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5 via Windows Update, Microsoft recommends that customers upgrade to Window Server 2016 at your earliest convenience

Vulnerability Information

Secure Kernel Mode Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability– CVE-2016-7271

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows Secure Kernel Mode fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could violate virtual trust levels (VTL).

A locally-authenticated attacker could attempt to exploit the vulnerability by running a specially crafted application on a targeted system.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows handles objects in memory to properly enforce VTLs.

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
Secure Kernel Mode Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2016-7271 No No
### Mitigating Factors Microsoft has not identified any [mitigating factor](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx) for this vulnerability. ### Workarounds Microsoft has not identified any [workarounds](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx) for this vulnerability. Security Update Deployment -------------------------- For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced [here](#kbarticle) 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](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/mt674627.aspx) 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 (December 13, 2016): Bulletin published. *Page generated 2016-12-20 09:33-08:00.*