# CVE-2018-8414: Microsoft Windows Shell Remote Code Execution

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code by exploiting improper file path validation in the Windows Shell.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 Mar 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Aug 2018
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xg99-mpwj-gf2c

## What is CVE-2018-8414?

CVE-2018-8414 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10, published on 15 Aug 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Shell does not properly validate file paths, aka "Windows Shell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows 10 Servers, Windows 10.

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8414?

It affects 5 products.


Products: Microsoft Windows 10 1703, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, Microsoft Windows Server 1709, Microsoft Windows Server 1803.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-8414?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-8414 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

## Is CVE-2018-8414 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-8414 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Public exploit code:

- Simple poc of CVE-2018-8414 Windows Package Setting RCE Vulnerability (github_poc): https://github.com/whereisr0da/CVE-2018-8414-POC

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10

- [CVE-2019-1253](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1253/): Microsoft Windows AppX Deployment Server Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-1129](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1129/): Microsoft Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-0841](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0841/): Microsoft Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-8414 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-8414 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10, published on 15 Aug 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-8414 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8414/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8414/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-8414
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8414
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-8414

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8414/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.