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CVE-2018-8406

Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 3.44%
  1. Published15 Aug 2018
  2. Added to CISA KEV28 Mar 2022
  3. Remediation due18 Apr 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the DirectX Graphics Kernel (DXGKRNL) driver improperly handles objects in memory.

Added to KEV: 28 Mar 2022Federal remediation due: 18 Apr 2022Used in ransomware

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the DirectX Graphics Kernel (DXGKRNL) driver improperly handles objects in memory, aka "DirectX Graphics Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8400, CVE-2018-8401, CVE-2018-8405.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredLow
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1507all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1607all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1703all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1709all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1803all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1709all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1803all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2016all versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2018-8406 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2018-8406 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 28 Mar 2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2018-8406?

CVE-2018-8406 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 3.44% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2018-8406?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1703, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, and 3 more.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8406?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-8406 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.