# CVE-2018-8406: Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8406-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-2018-8406 · 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-2018-8406 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2018-8406 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2018-8406?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 28 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803; Microsoft Windows Server 2016 1709, 1803.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8406?** A patch was published on 2018-09-11: Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2018-8406 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2018-8406?** 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 10 1507, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 1709, 1803

## Timeline

- 2018-09-11: disclosed: Initial Microsoft advisory publication date (implied by CVE year and patch cycle)
- 2018-09-11: patched: Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability.
- 2022-03-28: kev added: Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8405-microsoft-directx-graphics-kernel-privilege-escalation)