--- title: "CVE-2018-8453: Microsoft Windows 7 vulnerability | 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-2018-8453 --- # CVE-2018-8453: Microsoft Windows 7 vulnerability | 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 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. 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-2018-8453) ## Key data ### CVSS 3.1 High 7.8 Score published by CISA-ADP in the CVE record. CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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 | Low | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will. | | Privileges required | None | No account or privileges are needed. | | User interaction | Required | A user has to do something first, such as opening a file or following a link. | | 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 0.70042 (70.0% probability) Percentile 99.4% 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 Jan 21, 2022 Federal due date Jul 21, 2022 Ransomware campaigns Known use ### CISA assessment as of Jan 20, 2022 Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) decision points added by CISA. Exploitation Recorded by CISA as active Automatable no Technical impact total ## Affected products Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them. - Microsoft Windows 7 - affected: 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 - affected: x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 - Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 - affected: (Server Core installation) - Microsoft Windows RT 8.1 - affected: Windows RT 8.1 - 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 Server 2019 - affected: (Server Core installation) - Microsoft Windows Server 2012 - affected: (Server Core installation) - Microsoft Windows 8.1 - affected: 32-bit systems - affected: x64-based systems - Microsoft Windows Server 2016 - affected: (Server Core installation) - 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) - Microsoft Windows 10 - affected: 32-bit Systems - affected: Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems - affected: Version 1607 for x64-based Systems - affected: Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems - affected: Version 1703 for x64-based Systems - affected: Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems - affected: Version 1709 for x64-based Systems - affected: Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems - affected: Version 1803 for x64-based Systems - affected: Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems - affected: Version 1809 for x64-based Systems - affected: x64-based Systems - Microsoft Windows 10 Servers - affected: version 1709 (Server Core Installation) - affected: version 1803 (Server Core Installation) ## References Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control. - [1041828](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041828) (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry - [securelist.com/cve-2018-8453-used-in-targeted-attack](https://securelist.com/cve-2018-8453-used-in-targeted-attack) - [portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/…](https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8453) - [105467](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105467) (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry - [packetstormsecurity.com/files/153669/Microsoft-Windows-NtUs…](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153669/Microsoft-Windows-NtUserSetWindowFNID-Win32k-User-Callback.html) ## Timeline 1. ID reserved Mar 14, 2018 2. Record published Oct 10, 2018 3. Added to CISA KEV Jan 21, 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)