CVE-2018-8405

KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the DirectX Graphics Kernel (DXGKRNL) driver improperly handles objects in memory.

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 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8400, CVE-2018-8401, CVE-2018-8406.

CVSS 3.1 vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

PublishedAug 15, 2018

Last modifiedJun 17, 2026

Added to KEVMar 28, 2022

Remediation dueApr 18, 2022

References

securityfocus.com/bid/105011Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1041461Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8405PatchVendor Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8405US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · High

Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1652 days
Ransomware: Used in known ransomware campaigns
CVSS: 7.8 HIGH
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 3.4% · top 11% of all CVEs
Weakness: CWE-404

Recommended actions

1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
3.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
4.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.

Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.