CVE-2018-8120
Confirmed PUBLISHEDAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Win32k...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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 Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8124, CVE-2018-8164, CVE-2018-8166.
- CVE Published
- May 09, 2018
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 15, 2022
- CVSS
- 7.0 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 7
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 7
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008 R2
|
Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008 R2
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2008 R2
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) |
Affected |
CVE References
- 45653 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45653/
- 1040849 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040849
- 104034 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104034
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8120 portal.msrc.microsoft.com · CVE Record https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CV...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-03-15 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/ms18_8120_win32k_privesc.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-03-15 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2022-03-15 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2018-05-19 02:43:15 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Resource Shutdown or Release
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/ms18_8120_win32k_privesc.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2018-12-19 10:58:55 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2018-08-16 10:51:00 UTC · 1 stars
CVE-2018-8120 Windows LPE exploit
github · Created 2018-06-07 08:30:07 UTC · 293 stars
CVE-2018-8120 Exploit for Win2003 Win2008 WinXP Win7
github · Created 2018-05-19 02:43:15 UTC · 497 stars
CVE-2018-8120 Windows LPE exploit
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:03 UTC about 1 year ago15:03 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
02:43 UTC about 8 years ago02:43 UTC · about 8 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
19:00 UTC about 8 years ago19:00 UTC · about 8 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 8 years ago00:00 UTC · over 8 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2018-8120
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2018-8120",
"title": "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k com...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.0,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}