CVE-2018-8611
Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Windows Kernel 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.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 24 May 2022. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 14 June 2022.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 4.2%, which is higher than 91.1% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2018-8611 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2018-8611.
What does CVE-2018-8611 affect?
CVE-2018-8611 affects Microsoft Windows. An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Windows Kernel 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.
How severe is CVE-2018-8611?
CVE-2018-8611 is rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.2%, higher than 91.1% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 14 June 2022.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2018-8611?
Apply the vendor patch for Microsoft Windows as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.