How severe is CVE-2018-12989?

CVE-2018-12989 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-12989 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (23rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-12989?

CVE-2018-12989 primarily affects Pearsonvue Console 8. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-12989?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2018-12989 published?

CVE-2018-12989 was published on 2018-08-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-12989

CVE-2018-12989 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Pearsonvue Console 8 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7. 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: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.7)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (23rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-281
Affected product: Pearsonvue Console 8
Published: 2018-08-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The report-viewing feature in Pearson VUE Certiport Console 8 and IQSystem 7 before 2018-06-26 mishandles child processes and consequently launches Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge as Administrator, which allows local users to gain privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-12989?: The report-viewing feature in Pearson VUE Certiport Console 8 and IQSystem 7 before 2018-06-26 mishandles child processes and consequently launches Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge as Administrator, which allows local users to gain privileges.
How severe is CVE-2018-12989?: CVE-2018-12989 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-12989 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (23rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-12989?: CVE-2018-12989 primarily affects Pearsonvue Console 8. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-12989?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2018-12989 published?: CVE-2018-12989 was published on 2018-08-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:pearsonvue:console_8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pearsonvue:iqsystem_7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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