Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2018-0986?

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

Is CVE-2018-0986 being exploited in the wild?

It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Feb 25, 2020 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.

Is CVE-2018-0986 in the CISA KEV catalog?

No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2018-0986?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2018-0986?

No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

How urgently should CVE-2018-0986 be patched?

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

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2018-0986

HighExploitedPublic exploit

Published Apr 4, 2018 · Updated Nov 21, 2024

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2018-0986 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Exchange Server (Microsoft), Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 (Microsoft), Intune Endpoint Protection (Microsoft) and 6 more products.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Feb 25, 2020 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 63% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

8.8

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

63%

Higher than 99.2% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

1 catalog listing, used by ransomware

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2018-0986 brief as a PDF

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

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine does not properly scan a specially crafted file, leading to memory corruption, aka "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows Defender, Windows Intune Endpoint Protection, Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft System Center, Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

Catalog	Added	Remediation due	Ransomware use
Industry KEV feed	Feb 25, 2020	n/a	Known

Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Products

16 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Exchange ServerMicrosoft	2013, 2016, >= 2013	n/a
Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Intune Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a
Security EssentialsMicrosoft	>= Microsoft Security Essentials	n/a
System Center Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft	2012, 2012-r2, >= Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection	n/a

4 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
Apr 4, 2018
Added to Industry KEV feed
Feb 25, 2020
Last updated
Nov 21, 2024

Weakness Type

CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write

References

advisory103593
advisory1040631
patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-0986
exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
exploitExploitDB-44402

1 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine does not properly scan a specially crafted file, leading to memory corruption, aka "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows Defender, Windows Intune Endpoint Protection, Micr…
Affected: Exchange Server (Microsoft) versions 2013, 2016, >= 2013; Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 (Microsoft); Intune Endpoint Protection (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Feb 25, 2020 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

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