CVE-2018-8540
CVE-2018-8540 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft .net Framework with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 22% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-94.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 10.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 22% (97th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-94
- Affected product: Microsoft .net Framework
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft .NET Framework fails to validate input properly, aka ".NET Framework Remote Code Injection Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7/4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6/4.6.1/4.6.2/4.7/4.7.1/4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2/4.7/4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2018-8540?
- A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft .NET Framework fails to validate input properly, aka ".NET Framework Remote Code Injection Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7/4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6/4.6.1/4.6.2/4.7/4.7.1/4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2/4.7/4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.1/4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2.
- How severe is CVE-2018-8540?
- CVE-2018-8540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2018-8540 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 22% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2018-8540?
- CVE-2018-8540 primarily affects Microsoft .net Framework. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2018-8540?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2018-8540 published?
- CVE-2018-8540 was published on 2018-12-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106073
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8540
Affected products (10)
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Microsoft .net Framework
- CVE-2014-4121 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.5.2 does not properly parse internationalized…
- CVE-2014-4073 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.5.2 processes unverified data during interaction…
- CVE-2014-1806 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The .NET Remoting implementation in Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 SP1, 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, 4.5, and 4.5.1 does not…
- CVE-2013-0073 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Windows Forms (aka WinForms) component in Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, and 4.5 does not…
- CVE-2008-5100 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The strong name (SN) implementation in Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.50727 relies on the digital signature Public Key…
- CVE-2002-0369 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in ASP.NET Worker Process allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (restart) and possibly…
All CVEs affecting Microsoft .net Framework →
Other CWE-94 (Code Injection) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-76605 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - fabrikar.com - Remote code execution via image element in Fabrik < 4.7.3 - ???.
- CVE-2026-76604 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - fabrikar.com - Unauthenticated remote code execution via PHP form element in Fabrik < 4.7.3 - The…
- CVE-2026-67364 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - balbooa.com - Pre-auth PHP Code Injection in Balbooa Forms < 2.4.3.2 - CWE-94 / CWE-95 | CVSS 3.1:…
- CVE-2026-73343 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) in WP Compress < 7.20.01 versions.
- CVE-2026-74253 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - regularlabs.com - Unauthenticated RCE through unverified reflected user input in Sourcerer < 14.0.0…
- CVE-2026-73678 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): MindsDB Minds Platform version 26.1.0 and earlier contains an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability that…