# CVE-2018-8453: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8453-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-01-21. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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.

Technologies: [Microsoft Win32K](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/win32k). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2018-8453 exploited 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.
- 2022-01-21: disclosed: NVD publication date.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-0165-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32K Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-29336-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-2360-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8589-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-4113-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)