How severe is CVE-2017-8581?

CVE-2017-8581 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-8581 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-8581?

CVE-2017-8581 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-8581?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-8581 published?

CVE-2017-8581 was published on 2017-07-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-8581

CVE-2017-8581 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-281.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 3.7
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (58th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-281
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2017-07-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Win32k in 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 allows an elevation of privilege vulnerability when it fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8578, CVE-2017-8580, CVE-2017-8577, and CVE-2017-8467.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-8581?: Win32k in 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 allows an elevation of privilege vulnerability when it fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8578, CVE-2017-8580, CVE-2017-8577, and CVE-2017-8467.
How severe is CVE-2017-8581?: CVE-2017-8581 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-8581 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-8581?: CVE-2017-8581 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-8581?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-8581 published?: CVE-2017-8581 was published on 2017-07-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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