# CVE-2018-8581: Microsoft Exchange Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8581-microsoft-exchange-server-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2018-8581 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.4 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-03

An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server allows a remote attacker to impersonate other users. The flaw stems from insufficient permission validation, potentially granting the attacker the same privileges as the impersonated user.

Technologies: [Microsoft Exchange Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/exchange-server). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2018-8581 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2018-8581 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2018-8581?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.4, published 3 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8581?** A patch was published on 2018-11-14: Microsoft released security guidance and patches. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2018-8581 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2018-8581?** Check whether you run Microsoft Exchange Server. 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 Exchange Server 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019

## Timeline

- 2018-11-13: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2018-11-14: patched: Microsoft released security guidance and patches.
- 2022-03-03: kev added: Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2022-03-03: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Exchange Server improper access control spoofing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118208-improper-access-control-in-microsoft-exchange-server-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server improper input validation code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118207-improper-input-validation-in-microsoft-exchange-server-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server weak authentication privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118157-weak-authentication-in-microsoft-exchange-server-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server privilege elevation via untrusted security decision input](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118154-reliance-on-untrusted-inputs-in-a-security-decision-in-microsoft)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server algorithmic complexity denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118153-inefficient-algorithmic-complexity-in-microsoft-exchange-server)