SecPod

Learn Search

Search across all Learn content

← Back to Security Research

Google discloses zero-day Vulnerability in Windows kernel

Google discloses a Windows zero-day vulnerability in the Windows kernel. That is currently in exploitation in the wild by Black Hats. This was disclosing after Microsoft failed to release a patch within the 7-day deadline. Also, a reliable vulnerability management tool can prevent these issues.

Nov 7, 2016By Santosh Elumalai3 min read

Google discloses a Windows zero-day vulnerability in the Windows kernel. That is currently in exploitation in the wild by Black Hats. This was disclosing after Microsoft failed to release a patch within the 7-day deadline. Also, a reliable vulnerability management tool can prevent these issues.

CVE-2016-7855 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows kernel exploits that can be of use as a security sandbox escape. A vulnerability management system can resolve these issues.

“[The vulnerability] can be triggered via win32k.sys system calls NtSetWindowLongPtr() for the index GWLP_ID on a window handle with GWL_STYLE set to WS_CHILD. Chrome’s sandbox blocks win32k.sys system calls using the win32k lockdown mitigation on Windows 10. Which prevents exploitation of this sandbox escape vulnerability”. Google quoted a blog post by Neel Mehta and Billy Leonard on Oct 31, 2016.

Blog Post Notes on Windows Kernel Exploits:

The blog post also notes that Google reported a zero-day flaw (CVE-2016-7855). Flash Player to Adobe at the same time as it contacted Microsoft. But Adobe released an emergency patch for its software.

The Flash Player bug also in the exploitation a wide range of organizations in targeted attacks. According to Adobe, the flaw affected on Windows 7, 8.1, Server 2012, Server 2012 R2 and 10 systems.

In response to the Google blog post of Windows kernel exploits. Microsoft said Google’s disclosure has potentially placed customers at risk. Adding that the company believes in coordinated vulnerability disclosure. Microsoft also said that all supported Windows platforms are vulnerable to this attack. And have recommended its users use Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge for the best protection from this vulnerability. Microsoft is anyhow working on its update and has promised to release the update on coming Patch Tuesday (i.e Nov 8, 2016).

The search giant claims that it could protect Windows 10 users. With its new update for Google Chrome that rolled out on Nov 1, 2016. The blog said “The Windows vulnerability is a local privilege escalation in the Windows kernel that can be of use as a security sandbox escape. It can be triggering via win32k.sys system calls NtSetWindowLongPtr() for the index GWLP_ID on a Window handle with GWL_STYLE set to WS_CHILD. Chrome’s sandbox blocks win32k.sys system calls using the win32k lockdown mitigation on Windows 10. Which prevents exploitation of this sandbox escape vulnerability”

We recommend all Windows users install the latest Google Chrome and Adobe Flash Player patches to have the best protection from this vulnerability.

SecPod Saner detects these vulnerabilities and automatically fixes it by applying Important and critical security updates. Download Saner now and keep your systems updated and secure.

Featured Posts

Open WHIPSHOT and SLAPSHOT: Citrix NetScaler Zero-Days Exploited to Plant Root Web Shells and Internal Tunnels
WHIPSHOT and SLAPSHOT: Citrix NetScaler Zero-Days Exploited to Plant Root Web Shells and Internal Tunnels

CVE Research

WHIPSHOT and SLAPSHOT: Citrix NetScaler Zero-Days Exploited to Plant Root Web Shells and Internal Tunnels

Oct 1, 2026

Open OpenSSL’s DTLS State Handling Error Opens the Door to Heap Data Exposure
OpenSSL’s DTLS State Handling Error Opens the Door to Heap Data Exposure

CVE Research

OpenSSL’s DTLS State Handling Error Opens the Door to Heap Data Exposure

Oct 1, 2026

Open Patch Analysis & Exploitation Timeline: Critical WSO2 and Adobe Flaws Show 1-Day vs. 133-Day Exploitation Window , September 24, 2026 KEV Additions
Patch Analysis & Exploitation Timeline: Critical WSO2 and Adobe Flaws Show 1-Day vs. 133-Day Exploitation Window , September 24, 2026 KEV Additions

CVE Research

Patch Analysis & Exploitation Timeline: Critical WSO2 and Adobe Flaws Show 1-Day vs. 133-Day Exploitation Window , September 24, 2026 KEV Additions

Two critical vulnerabilities added to CISA KEV on September 24, 2026 reveal sharply different exploitation timelines. CVE-2026-71362 saw publicly documented exploitation roughly one day after Adobe's patch release, while CVE-2026-5430 had a 133-day vendor-remediation-to-observed-exploitation interval.

Oct 1, 2026

Open Patch Analysis & Exploitation Timeline: Same-Week KEV Additions, Year-Apart Patch Dates - Linux Kernel, September 18, 2026
Patch Analysis & Exploitation Timeline: Same-Week KEV Additions, Year-Apart Patch Dates - Linux Kernel, September 18, 2026

CVE Research

Patch Analysis & Exploitation Timeline: Same-Week KEV Additions, Year-Apart Patch Dates - Linux Kernel, September 18, 2026

Three Linux kernel vulnerabilities entered CISA’s KEV catalog on September 18, 2026, although their Linux 6.12 fixes were available 91–386 days earlier. This analysis separates patch availability, CVE publication, and known-exploitation status without treating KEV dates as first-attack dates.

Sep 28, 2026