CVE-2018-8405 Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Privilege Escalation

Exploited in the wild High 7.8 Published 15 Aug 2018 Updated 21 Oct 2025

An attacker can exploit improper memory handling in the DirectX Graphics Kernel driver to elevate privileges on affected Windows systems.

Exploited in the wild: Since 28 Mar 2022
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2018-8405?

CVE-2018-8405 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 15 Aug 2018. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-404

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8405?

It affects 11 products.

Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1703, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, Microsoft Windows 8.1 and 5 more.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8405?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-8405 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 18 Apr 2022.

Is CVE-2018-8405 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-8405 in the wild since at least 28 Mar 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

All Microsoft Windows 10 1507 vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-87h6-m3qc-h3rx.