How severe is CVE-2018-8544?

CVE-2018-8544 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-8544 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 48% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-8544?

CVE-2018-8544 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8544?

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-2018-8544 published?

CVE-2018-8544 was published on 2018-11-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-8544

CVE-2018-8544 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 48% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-416.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 48% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-416
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2018-11-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution 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, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-8544?: A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution 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, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.
How severe is CVE-2018-8544?: CVE-2018-8544 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-8544 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 48% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-8544?: CVE-2018-8544 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-8544?: 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-2018-8544 published?: CVE-2018-8544 was published on 2018-11-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (17)

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_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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:*:*:*:*:itanium:*
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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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