Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2017-8540?

Affected: Endpoint Protection (Microsoft); Exchange Server (Microsoft) versions 2013, 2016; Forefront Endpoint Protection (Microsoft) versions 2010, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2017-8540 being exploited in the wild?

It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 3, 2022.

Is CVE-2017-8540 in the CISA KEV catalog?

Yes. It was added on Mar 3, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Mar 24, 2022.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2017-8540?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2017-8540?

Fixed versions are available, including Malware Protection Engine 1.1.13704.0.

How urgently should CVE-2017-8540 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2017-8540

HighExploitedPublic exploit

Published May 26, 2017 · Updated Apr 22, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2017-8540 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Endpoint Protection (Microsoft), Exchange Server (Microsoft), Forefront Endpoint Protection (Microsoft) and 6 more products.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 3, 2022. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 72% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Fixed versions are available, including Malware Protection Engine 1.1.13704.0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

7.8

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

72%

Higher than 99.4% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2017-8540 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

The Microsoft Malware Protection Engine running on Microsoft Forefront and Microsoft Defender on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and 2016, does not properly scan a specially crafted file leading to memory corruption. aka "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability", a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-8538 and CVE-2017-8541.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

Catalog	Added	Remediation due	Ransomware use
CISA KEV	Mar 3, 2022	Mar 24, 2022	Not reported
Industry KEV feed	Mar 3, 2022	Mar 24, 2022	Not reported
CIRCL KEV	Mar 3, 2022	Mar 24, 2022	Not reported
ENISA EUVD	Mar 3, 2022	n/a	Not reported

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Products

12 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a
Exchange ServerMicrosoft	2013, 2016	n/a
Forefront Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft	2010	n/a
Forefront SecurityMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a
Intune Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a

4 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Patched Releases

Malware Protection Engine

1.1.13704.0

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
May 26, 2017
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 3, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 3, 2022
Last updated
Apr 22, 2026

Weakness Type

CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write

References

advisory98703
advisory1038571
patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2017-8540
exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
exploitExploitDB-42088

2 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

The Microsoft Malware Protection Engine running on Microsoft Forefront and Microsoft Defender on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and…
Affected: Endpoint Protection (Microsoft); Exchange Server (Microsoft) versions 2013, 2016; Forefront Endpoint Protection (Microsoft) versions 2010, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 3, 2022.
Yes. It was added on Mar 3, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Mar 24, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Malware Protection Engine 1.1.13704.0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

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