CVE-2018-8440
Published: March 28, 2022
Official Description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC).
CISA KEV Advisory
Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC).
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
This vulnerability allows an attacker to gain elevated privileges within Windows by exploiting how the system handles certain internal communication processes. With an EPSS score of 0.74534 and confirmed exploitation by CISA (is_in_kev: true), this is a high-priority vulnerability that is actively being exploited.
Active exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed in the wild, indicating it is a significant threat. The confirmed presence in CISA's KEV further underscores its active use by attackers.
System administrators should apply the latest security updates for Windows to address this elevation of privilege vulnerability. Regular patching is crucial to protect against known exploited flaws.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2018-8440 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2018-8440 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (1)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2018-8440 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1