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Known exploited vulnerability

CVE-2018-8639

highCVSS 3.1 7.8In CISA KEVRansomwareEPSS 22%Published · Microsoft

The short answer

CVE-2018-8639 affects Microsoft Windows 7 and is rated high (CVSS 7.8). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-03-03: attackers are using it, so patch it first. The vendor has linked a patch.

What it is

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.

Weakness: CWE-404.

Severity

7.8 high

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploited (CISA KEV)

Yes, since Mar 3, 2025

Federal due date Mar 24, 2025

EPSS, next 30 days

22%

Higher than 98% of scored CVEs

How it can be exploited

Attack vector
Local
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality impact
High
Integrity impact
High
Availability impact
High

What CISA says to do

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected products

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. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.

References

Questions

Is CVE-2018-8639 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2018-8639 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-03-03, with a federal remediation due date of 2025-03-24. CISA lists it as used in ransomware campaigns.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8639?

CISA's 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.

From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.

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