CVE DATABASE / CVE-2018-8589
CVE-2018-8589
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVSS 7.8 · HIGH
⚠ CISA KEV — ACTIVELY EXPLOITED
On the CISA KEV catalog
Confirmed exploited in the wild. Added 2022-05-23.
Federal remediation due 2022-06-13.
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Summary
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Win32k.sys, aka "Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2.
CVSS 3.1 breakdown
| Base score | 7.8 (HIGH) |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Attack vector | LOCAL |
| Attack complexity | LOW |
| Privileges required | LOW |
| User interaction | NONE |
| Scope | UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality | HIGH |
| Integrity | HIGH |
| Availability | HIGH |
Affected products
Microsoft windows 7Microsoft windows server 2008
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References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105796
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1042140
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8589
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8589
Data: NIST NVD + CISA KEV. NVD last modified 2025-10-28. Always verify against the vendor advisory before acting.