CVE-2018-8405 — Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

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

01What is this vulnerability?

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.

02Affected products

Vendor	Product	Versions
Microsoft	Windows Server 2012 R2	(Server Core installation)
Microsoft	Windows RT 8.1	Windows RT 8.1
Microsoft	Windows Server 2016	(Server Core installation)
Microsoft	Windows 8.1	32-bit systems, x64-based systems
Microsoft	Windows 10	32-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
Microsoft	Windows 10 Servers	version 1709 (Server Core Installation), version 1803 (Server Core Installation)

03Active exploitation status

Yes — actively exploited. Added to the CISA KEV catalog on 2022-03-28. Ransomware use: Known.

04Recommended remediation

• Patch to a fixed version listed in the vendor advisory (see references below).
• Mitigate with WAF rules, network egress filters, or feature flags where the patch is not yet available.
• Hunt historical logs for exploitation indicators — see Detection signatures below.

05Technical details

For the full vendor write-up, exploit chains, and reference implementations, see the references list in section 09.

06Detection signatures

Open the Sigma generator with a pre-filled prompt for this CVE to draft a starting detection in your stack of choice:

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07Related CVEs

08Timeline

• Published: 2018-08-15T17:00:00.000Z
• Last modified: 2025-10-21T23:45:48.793Z
• Added to CISA KEV: 2022-03-28
• BOD 22-01 due: 2022-04-18

09References

• www.securityfocus.com — http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105011
• www.securitytracker.com — http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041461
• portal.msrc.microsoft.com — https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8405