7.8

CVE-2018-8589: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighKEVAnalyzed
Published 14-11-2018Last modified 21-10-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-8589 is a high (CVSS 7.8) vulnerability in Microsoft Win32k. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 23-05-2022. EPSS estimates a 3.02% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 87.2% of scored vulnerabilities.

Overall risk
85/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
3.02%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded

Timeline

  1. 14-11-2018
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 23-05-2022
    Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
  3. 13-06-2022
    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 Win32k.sys, aka "Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2.

CVSS metrics

3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

3.02%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

87%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 3.02% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
3.02%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed
Added
23-05-2022
Federal due date
13-06-2022

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8589

Public exploits

0 found

No public exploits indexed.

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

No weakness data has been published for this record.

Affected systems

Microsoft3 products
  • windows_732-bit Systems Service Pack 1 | x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 | na
  • windows_server_200832-bit Systems Service Pack 2 | 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 2 | x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 | x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | na | r2:sp1
  • windows server 2008 r2Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 1 | x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 | x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)

1 vendor · 3 products

References

4 links