Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2018-8453?

Affected: Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1703 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2018-8453 being exploited in the wild?

It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 17, 2018 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.

Is CVE-2018-8453 in the CISA KEV catalog?

Yes. It was added on Jan 21, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Jul 21, 2022.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2018-8453?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2018-8453?

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

How urgently should CVE-2018-8453 be patched?

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

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2018-8453

HighExploitedPublic exploit

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…

Published Oct 10, 2018 · Updated Aug 13, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2018-8453 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1703 (Microsoft) and 16 more products.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 17, 2018 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 70% 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

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)

70%

Higher than 99.3% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings, used by ransomware

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2018-8453 brief as a PDF

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

Description

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

Catalog	Added	Remediation due	Ransomware use
CISA KEV	Jan 21, 2022	Jul 21, 2022	Known
Industry KEV feed	Aug 17, 2018	Jul 21, 2022	Known
CIRCL KEV	Jan 21, 2022	Jul 21, 2022	Known
ENISA EUVD	Jan 21, 2022	n/a	Not reported

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Products

28 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Windows 10 1507Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 10 1607Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 10 1703Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 10 1709Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 10 1803Microsoft	See advisory	n/a

14 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Timeline

Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 17, 2018
Publicly disclosed
Oct 10, 2018
Added to CISA KEV
Jan 21, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jan 21, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jan 21, 2022
Last updated
Aug 13, 2026

References

12 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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,…
Affected: Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1703 (Microsoft), 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 Aug 17, 2018 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Jan 21, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Jul 21, 2022.
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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