---
id: "CVE-2018-8440"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2018-8440"]
title: "Microsoft Windows: Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: 0.1853
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Windows", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "ransomware", "self-hosted", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-windows"]
published_at: "2018-09-13T00:29:04+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2018-8440", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2018-8440", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:13:44+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8440", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"}]
---

# Microsoft Windows: Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

An elevation of privilege flaw in Windows lets a local user gain higher privileges because Windows mishandles calls to Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC). CISA lists it as exploited in the wild and it is tagged for ransomware use.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Windows affected ? fixed ?

## How to check

Check installed Windows updates for the patch that addresses CVE-2018-8440 (Get-HotFix or Settings > Windows Update > Update history).

## Fix

Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2018-8440 per vendor instructions, as CISA requires.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2018-8440
- 2026-10-23T19:13:44+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2018-8440
- 2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8440

## From the sources

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), aka "Windows ALPC Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_