Use-after-free in Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2018-8453
Published: October 9, 2018 / Updated: June 17, 2021
Vulnerability identifier: #VU15249
CSH Severity: Medium
CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Green
CVE-ID: CVE-2018-8453
CWE-ID: CWE-416
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild
Vendor: Microsoft
Affected software:
Windows
Windows Server
Windows
Windows Server
Detailed vulnerability description
The vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.
The vulnerability exists due to a use-after free error in win32kfull!xxxDestroyWindow Win32k component. A local user can run a specially crafted application, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code in kernel mode.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.
Note: the vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild.
How to mitigate CVE-2018-8453
Install updates from vendor's website.