What is the CVSS score of CVE-2015-0096?

CVE-2015-0096 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3 (Critical). CVSS vector: AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C. EPSS exploitation probability: 87.1%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2015-0096?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2015-0096. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 87.1%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2015-0096?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2015-0096. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Windows Server 2003 CVE-2015-0096

CRITICAL

Untrusted Search Path (CWE-426)

2015-03-11 secure@microsoft.com

RCE Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2012 Windows 7 Windows 8 1 Windows Rt 8 1 Windows Server 2003 Windows Vista Windows 8 Windows Rt

9.3

CVSS 2.0 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-426 OWASP Top 10:2025 A08:2025 - Software or Data Integrity Failures ASVS 5.0 V13 - Configuration Search path verification
Impact	CVSS score of 9.3 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, M complexity. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 87.07%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the critical-severity affected system.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: CRITICAL severity + public POC available.

Patch available 87.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 87.1%.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-426. Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, leading to DLL loading during Windows Explorer access to the icon of a crafted shortcut, aka "DLL Planting Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." Affected products include: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 9.3 CRITICAL

AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Confidentiality

Integrity

Availability

DescriptionCVE.org

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, leading to DLL loading during Windows Explorer access to the icon of a crafted shortcut, aka "DLL Planting Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

Threat Intelligence Overview

Threat Score

6.0/10

Composite threat intelligence

EPSS Score

87.1%

Top 1% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

5 sources

Confidence: Medium

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS POC (2)

Exploit-DB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity CRITICAL

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 87.1%

Patch available Yes

Active threat Yes

Deciding rule

CRITICAL severity + public POC available

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Out-of-Cycle

Exploitation· derived

Active

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

High

Priority Score

168

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +87

CVSS: +46

PoC: +20

Weaponized: +15

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution CRITICAL

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:itanium:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-020 REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/72894 REF http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031890

Search Externally

GitHub PoC

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