CVE-2018-8589
CVE-2018-8589 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2022-05-23).
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v2: 7.2
- EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-05-23)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2018-20204
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-05-23)
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Win32k.sys, aka "Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2018-8589?
- An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Win32k.sys, aka "Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2.
- How severe is CVE-2018-8589?
- CVE-2018-8589 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2018-8589 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2018-8589 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-05-23, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2018-8589?
- CVE-2018-8589 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2018-8589?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2018-8589 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2018-8589 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2018-20204. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-05-23).
- When was CVE-2018-8589 published?
- CVE-2018-8589 was published on 2018-11-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105796
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1042140
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8589
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8589
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
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