7.8

CVE-2018-8406: Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighKEVRansomwareAnalyzed
Published 15-08-2018Last modified 21-10-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-8406 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Improper Resource Shutdown or Release vulnerability in Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel (DXGKRNL). It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 28-03-2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 3.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 88.8% of scored vulnerabilities.

Overall risk
90/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
3.44%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA
RansomwareKnown useFlagged by CISA
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded

Timeline

  1. 15-08-2018
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 28-03-2022
    Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
  3. 18-04-2022
    CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. 21-10-2025
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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 metrics

3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

3.44%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

89%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 3.44% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
3.44%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed
Added
28-03-2022
Federal due date
18-04-2022
Ransomware

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8406

Public exploits

0 found

No public exploits indexed.

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Microsoft10 products
  • windows_1032-bit Systems | Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems | Version 1607 for x64-based Systems | Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems | Version 1703 for x64-based Systems | Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems | Version 1709 for x64-based Systems | Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems | Version 1803 for x64-based Systems | x64-based Systems
  • windows_10_1507na
  • windows_10_1607na
  • windows_10_1703na
  • windows_10_1709na

1 vendor · 10 products

References

4 links