CVE-2018-8440
Confirmed PUBLISHEDAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), aka "Windows ALPC...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), aka "Windows ALPC Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.
- CVE Published
- Sep 13, 2018
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 28, 2022
- CVSS
- 7.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
28 version rows · page 1 of 2
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft |
Windows 7
|
32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 7
|
x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2012 R2
|
(Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows RT 8.1
|
Windows RT 8.1 |
Affected |
| 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 Server 2012
|
(Server Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 8.1
|
32-bit systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 8.1
|
x64-based systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server 2016
|
(Server Core installation) |
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 |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1607 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1703 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1709 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows 10
|
Version 1803 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
CVE References
- 1041578 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041578
- 105153 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105153
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8440 portal.msrc.microsoft.com · CVE Record https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CV...
- blog.0patch.com/2018/09/comparing-our-micropatch-with.html blog.0patch.com · CVE Record https://blog.0patch.com/2018/09/comparing-our-micropatch-with.html
- blog.0patch.com/2018/08/how-we-micropatched-publicly-dropped... blog.0patch.com · CVE Record https://blog.0patch.com/2018/08/how-we-micropatched-publicly-dropped....
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 | 2022-03-28 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/alpc_taskscheduler.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:L/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 2022-03-28 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2022-03-28 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2018-10-31 17:00:43 UTC · GitHub
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/alpc_taskscheduler.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2018-10-31 17:00:43 UTC · 79 stars
CVE-2018-8440 standalone exploit
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 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
-
17:00 UTC over 7 years ago17:00 UTC · over 7 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC almost 8 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 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-2018-8440
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2018-8440",
"title": "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handle...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}