Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2018-8589 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 23 May 2022

Gociux · Microsoft Win32k · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2018-8589, Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 23 May 2022, 1286 days after it was published. It affects Microsoft Win32k. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

What it is

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Win32k.sys. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run remote code in the security context of the local system.

What to do

1. Check whether you run it. Look for Win32k in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Microsoft CVE at once.
2. Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 14 Nov 2018.
4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Microsoft.

Other exploited CVEs in Win32k

• CVE-2016-0165: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (22 Jun 2023)
• CVE-2023-29336: Microsoft Win32K Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (9 May 2023)
• CVE-2015-2360: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (25 May 2022)
• CVE-2014-4113: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (4 May 2022)
• CVE-2021-41357: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (25 Apr 2022)
• CVE-2021-40450: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (25 Apr 2022)

References

• nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8589

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in May 2022 · Microsoft scorecard · act-now radar.