CVE-2018-8639
Confirmed PUBLISHEDAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8641.
- CVE Published
- Dec 12, 2018
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 03, 2025
- CVSS
- 7.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
34 version rows · page 1 of 2
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft |
Windows 7
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 7
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2012 R2
|
(Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows RT 8.1
|
Windows RT 8.1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2019
|
(Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2012
|
(Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 8.1
|
32-bit systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 8.1
|
x64-based systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2016
|
(Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008 R2
|
Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008 R2
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008 R2
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1607 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1703 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1709 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
CVE References
- 106093 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106093
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8639 portal.msrc.microsoft.com · CVE Record https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CV...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2025-03-03 00:00 UTC |
No detection artifacts or sensor request patterns are available for this CVE yet.
Check back as sensor telemetry and scanner integrations are updated.
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2025-03-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2025-03-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2019-03-05 14:18:07 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Resource Shutdown or Release
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus | https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/119591 | Jun 02, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2019-03-05 14:18:07 UTC · 128 stars
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
09:25 UTC about 1 year ago09:25 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nessus plugin available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC over 1 year ago00:00 UTC · over 1 year ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 1 year ago00:00 UTC · over 1 year ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
14:18 UTC over 7 years ago14:18 UTC · over 7 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 7 years ago00:00 UTC · over 7 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 8 years ago00:00 UTC · over 8 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2018-8639
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2018-8639",
"title": "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k com...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}