CVE-2018-8453: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2018-8453 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-01-21
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Win32k component due to improper handling of objects in memory. A local attacker could exploit this to gain elevated privileges on a targeted system. The vulnerability has been observed being used in targeted attacks in the wild.
Yes. CVE-2018-8453 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 21 January 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2018-8453?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 21 January 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 7; Microsoft Windows 8.1; Microsoft Windows RT 8.1; Microsoft Windows 10; and 8 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8453?
A patch was published on 2018-10-09: MSRC advisory published and patch released. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2018-8453 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2018-8453?
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
Microsoft Windows 8.1
Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
Microsoft Windows 10
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Windows Server 2019
Microsoft Windows Server 1709
Microsoft Windows Server 1803
Timeline
2018-10-09: patched: MSRC advisory published and patch released.
2022-01-21: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.