CVE-2018-8453
HIGHCISA KEVEPSS 99th pctlDescription
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 99% of all known CVEs.
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows Win32k contains a vulnerability that allows an attacker to escalate privileges.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Remediation due: 2022-07-21
Associated with ransomware campaigns
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153669/Microsoft-Windows-NtUserSetWindowFNID-Win32k-User-Callback.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105467
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041828
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8453
- https://securelist.com/cve-2018-8453-used-in-targeted-attack
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8453
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TridentStack Control continuously scans your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet for known vulnerabilities, prioritizes them by severity and active exploitation, and patches them automatically.
Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2025-10-28.