CVE-2018-8120: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2018-8120 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-15

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory. A local attacker could exploit this to gain elevated system privileges.

Technologies: Microsoft Win32K. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2018-8120 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2018-8120 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 15 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2018-8120?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 15 March 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1.
Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8120?
A patch was published on 2018-05-08: Microsoft released security updates Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2018-8120 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2018-8120?
Check whether you run Microsoft Win32K. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

Timeline

  • 2018-05-08: disclosed: MSRC advisory published
  • 2018-05-08: patched: Microsoft released security updates
  • 2022-03-15: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
  • 2022-03-15: exploited: Confirmed exploited in the wild per CISA KEV catalog

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