---
title: "CVE-2018-8120: Improper Resource Shutdown or Release | CubePath"
description: "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka \"Win32k Elevation…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-8120
---

# CVE-2018-8120: Improper Resource Shutdown or Release | CubePath

## Description

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 Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2\. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8124, CVE-2018-8164, CVE-2018-8166.

Official description from the CVE record, published by microsoft. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-8120)

## Key data

### CVSS 3.1 High 7.0

Score published by CISA-ADP in the CVE record.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

| Metric                 | Value     | What it means                                                                             |
| ---------------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Attack vector          | Local     | The attacker needs local access to the system, or to trick a user into running something. |
| Attack complexity      | High      | The attack depends on conditions outside the attacker's control, so it takes preparation. |
| Privileges required    | Low       | A basic user account is needed.                                                           |
| User interaction       | None      | No action from any user is needed.                                                        |
| Scope                  | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component.                                         |
| Confidentiality impact | High      | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data.                                           |
| Integrity impact       | High      | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data.                                   |
| Availability impact    | High      | Serious or total effect on availability.                                                  |

CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at [first.org/cvss](https://www.first.org/cvss/) .

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.73288 (73.3% probability)

Percentile

99.5%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

### CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities

This CVE is listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Name in the catalog

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Added to the catalog

Mar 15, 2022

Federal due date

Apr 5, 2022

Ransomware campaigns

Known use

### CISA assessment as of Mar 14, 2022

Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) decision points added by CISA.

Exploitation

Recorded by CISA as active

Automatable

no

Technical impact

total

### Weakness (CWE)

CWE catalog version 5.0.

CWE names: Copyright © 2006-2026, The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CWE license.

- [CWE-404](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/404.html) Improper Resource Shutdown or Release

## Affected products

Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them.

- Microsoft Windows Server 2008

  - affected: 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
  - affected: 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
  - affected: Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 2
  - affected: x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
  - affected: x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
- Microsoft Windows 7

  - affected: 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
  - affected: x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2

  - affected: Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 1
  - affected: x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
  - affected: x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [45653](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45653/)  (exploit-db.com) exploit
- [1040849](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040849)  (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry
- [104034](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104034)  (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry
- [portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/…](https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8120)

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Mar 14, 2018
2. Record published May 9, 2018
3. Added to CISA KEV Mar 15, 2022
4. Record last updated Aug 13, 2026

## Look up another CVE

## About CubePath

CubePath is a cloud provider with data centers in Europe and the United States. It offers VPS, bare metal servers and DDoS protection.

[Cloud VPS](https://cubepath.com/vps) [DDoS protection](https://cubepath.com/ddos-protection)

Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 20:00 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)