# CVE-2018-8405: Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8405-microsoft-directx-graphics-kernel-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-28. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2018-8405 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-28

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel (DXGKRNL) driver due to improper handling of objects in memory. A local attacker could exploit this to gain elevated system privileges.

Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2018-8405 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2018-8405 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2018-8405?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 28 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2; Microsoft Windows RT 8.1; Microsoft Windows Server 2016; Microsoft Windows 8.1; and 3 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8405?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2018-8405 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2018-8405?** Check whether you run Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel (DXGKRNL). 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 Server 2012 R2
- Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016
- Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Microsoft Windows 10
- Microsoft Windows Server 1709
- Microsoft Windows Server 1803

## Timeline

- 2018-09-11: disclosed: Initial release of Microsoft security advisory.
- 2022-03-28: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2022-03-28: exploited: Confirmed as exploited in the wild per CISA KEV entry.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8406-microsoft-directx-graphics-kernel-privilege-escalation)