CVE-2018-8639 kev+ ransomware in the critical feed json
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k…
published 2018-12-12 7 y ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2018-20250
- cvss
- 8.4
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Exploited
- added 2025-03-03, used in ransomware
- epss
- 22.3%
- EPSS 22.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 97%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
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. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8641.
Patch / fix
cisa required action Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Timeline
- Published
- Added to CISA KEV
- CISA SSVC: exploitation active
- CISA patch deadline
Known exploited
- Added
- 20 mo ago
- Patch by
- 2025-03-24 (19 mo ago)
- Ransomware
- Known to be used in ransomware campaigns
- Required action
- Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Vendor, product
- Microsoft, Windows
- CISA name
- Microsoft Windows Win32k Improper Resource Shutdown or Release Vulnerability
CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- Active, exploited in the wild
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- total
- Assessed
- 20 mo ago
Exploit prediction
22.35% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 97% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA ADP | 3.1 | 8.4 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVD | 3.1 | 7.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| CNA | 3.1 | 8.4 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVD | 2.0 | 7.2 | AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
- Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012
- Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft Windows 10
- Microsoft Windows 10 Servers
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-404 Improper Resource Shutdown or Release
References
-
portal.msrc.microsoft.com
/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8639
patch, vendor-advisory
-
securityfocus.com
/bid/106093
vdb-entry, broken-link, third-party-advisory
-
cisa.gov
/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8639
government-resource, us-government-resource
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2018-8639
- NVD CVE-2018-8639
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