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Weekly Signal
Live intelligence Updated 19 Aug 2026 · 20:27 UTC

Microsoft · Win32k, Windows 10 1507, Windows 10 1607 +13 more

CVE-2018-8453

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Recommended action

Validate affected assets and exposure now, then remediate on an accelerated schedule. Apply updates per vendor instructions.

View response plan
CVSS7.8
EPSS70.0%
KEVYes
ExploitationConfirmed exploitation
PatchPatch or guidance available ↓

Assessment

Why it matters

CISA lists this vulnerability as known to be exploited; exploitation is confirmed; EPSS is 70.0%; technical severity is CVSS 7.8.

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 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.

Who should care

  • Teams operating Win32k, Windows 10 1507, Windows 10 1607 +13 more
  • Vulnerability and exposure management teams
  • Security operations teams monitoring exploitation activity

Response plan

What I would do

  1. Confirm whether Win32k, Windows 10 1507, Windows 10 1607 +13 more is present in the environment.
  2. Identify affected versions and establish whether vulnerable services are exposed or reachable.
  3. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. Review relevant security telemetry for evidence of attempted or successful exploitation.
  5. Document the remediation decision and track it to verified completion.

Vendor remediation

Patch and remediation links

Use the vendor source below to confirm the correct fixed version, package or mitigation for your affected product.

Technical details

CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE
CWE-404
Affected versions
Microsoft Win32k; Microsoft Windows 10 1507 (Version: -); Microsoft Windows 10 1607 (Version: -); Microsoft Windows 10 1703 (Version: -); Microsoft Windows 10 1709 (Version: -); Microsoft Windows 10 1803 (Version: -); Microsoft Windows 10 1809 (Version: -); Microsoft Windows 7 (Version: -)
Published
10 October 2018
Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required

Signal timeline

  1. CVE published
  2. Added to CISA KEV
  3. Latest EPSS score: 70.0%
  4. Signal calculated at 83

External references

Live public intelligence This assessment combines public-source evidence. Validate the affected product, version and exposure against your own environment before making a risk decision.