CVE-2018-8544 Use after free in Windows 10

High 8.8 Published 14 Nov 2018 Updated 5 Aug 2024

Remote code execution via use-after-free in the Windows VBScript engine allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2018-8544?

CVE-2018-8544 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10, published on 14 Nov 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 in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8544?

It affects 8 products.

Products include Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and 2 more.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8544?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-8544 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2018-8544 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-8544 exists.

Public exploit code: 1 Exploit-DB entry.

All Microsoft Windows 10 vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-qr35-4r77-5h27.