CVE-2018-8589: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2018-8589 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-05-23

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows kernel-mode driver Win32k.sys due to improper handling of calls. A local attacker could exploit this to execute code with SYSTEM privileges.

Technologies: Microsoft Win32K. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2018-8589 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2018-8589 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 23 May 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2018-8589?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 23 May 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1.
Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8589?
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-2018-8589 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2018-8589?
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 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

Timeline

  • 2018-11-13: disclosed: NVD Published Date
  • 2022-05-23: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

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