7.8

CVE-2018-8440: Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighKEVRansomwareAnalyzed
Published 13-09-2018Last modified 21-10-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-8440 is a high (CVSS 7.8) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 28-03-2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 18.39% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 97.2% of scored vulnerabilities. 2 public exploits are recorded.

Overall risk
90/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
18.39%
0%100%
Medium · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA
RansomwareKnown useFlagged by CISA
Public exploits2reference, metasploit

Timeline

  1. 13-09-2018
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 28-03-2022
    Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows 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 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.

CVSS metrics

3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

18.39%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

97%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 18.39% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
18.39%

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-2018-8440

Public exploits

2 found
  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (blog.0patch.com)

    Maturity: unknown

  • MetasploitMetasploitremoteUnverified

    Microsoft Windows ALPC Task Scheduler Local Privilege Elevation

    exploit/windows/local/alpc_taskscheduler

    Maturity: poc

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

No weakness data has been published for this record.

Affected systems

Microsoft14 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_1607na
  • windows_10_1703na
  • windows_10_1709na
  • windows_10_1803na

1 vendor · 14 products

References

6 links