Microsoft Windows Win32k Improper Resource Shutdown or Release Vulnerability

Critical Threat Advisory: This vulnerability is documented in active Ransomware campaigns. Immediate remediation required.

Technical Severity

CVSS v3.1 Metrics

HIGH

8.4 / 10

Minimal Risk Critical

Vector Specification

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation Likelihood

EPSS Prediction

34.33 %

Predictive Probability

Percentile Rank

96.9 th

Documented as more likely to be exploited than 96.9% of known CVEs.

Detection Date

Mar 03, 2025

Remediation Due

Mar 24, 2025

CISA Catalog Active

Threat Analysis

Microsoft Windows Win32k contains an improper resource shutdown or release vulnerability that allows for local, authenticated privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode.

Remediation Directive

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Asset Context

Vendor Identity

Microsoft

Affected Product

Windows

Ransomware Status

Campaign Use Known

Weakness Classification

CWE-404

External Intelligence

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/advisory/CVE-2018-8639

NVD

National Vulnerability Database

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8639