How severe is CVE-2018-8404?

CVE-2018-8404 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-2018-8404 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (63rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-8404?

CVE-2018-8404 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8404?

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-2018-8404 published?

CVE-2018-8404 was published on 2018-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-8404

CVE-2018-8404 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-404.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (63rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-404
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2018-08-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

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 Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8399.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-8404?: 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 Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8399.
How severe is CVE-2018-8404?: CVE-2018-8404 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-2018-8404 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (63rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-8404?: CVE-2018-8404 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-8404?: 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-2018-8404 published?: CVE-2018-8404 was published on 2018-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1703:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10

CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
CVE-2021-26424 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows TCP/IP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2021-28476 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2021-26867 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2020-1112 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) IIS…
CVE-2019-1384 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A security feature bypass vulnerability exists where a NETLOGON message is able to obtain the session key and sign…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 10 →

Other CWE-404 vulnerabilities

CVE-2023-24444 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Jenkins OpenID Plugin 2.4 and earlier does not invalidate the previous session on login.
CVE-2024-31611 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): SeaCMS 12.9 has a file deletion vulnerability via admin_template.php.
CVE-2018-8450 — High (CVSS 8.8): A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Windows Search handles objects in memory, aka "Windows Search Remote…
CVE-2026-11317 — High (CVSS 8.7): A denial of service security issue exists in the affected product. The security issue stems from a fault occurring when…
CVE-2022-25762 — High (CVSS 8.6): If a web application sends a WebSocket message concurrently with the WebSocket connection closing when running on…
CVE-2020-26070 — High (CVSS 8.6): A vulnerability in the ingress packet processing function of Cisco IOS XR Software for Cisco ASR 9000 Series…

Browse all CWE-404 vulnerabilities →