Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited
CVE-2018-0824: Microsoft COM for Windows Deserialization of Untrusted Data Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). A remote code execution vulnerability exists in "Microsoft COM for Windows" when it fails to properly handle serialized objects, aka "Microsoft COM for Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008…
CISA KEV · added 2024-08-05 CVSS 7.5 High EPSS 73.0% · p99
Should you act?
Exploited: patch now if you run it
CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- Yes, if you run Microsoft Windows. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-08-05, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-08-26; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 73.0%, percentile 99: FIRST’s model estimates a 73.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs a user to click or open something. Phishing makes that realistic, but it is not wormable.
What it is
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in "Microsoft COM for Windows" when it fails to properly handle serialized objects, aka "Microsoft COM for Windows Remote Code Execution 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.
CISA’s summary
Microsoft COM for Windows contains a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation and remote code execution via a specially crafted file or script.
Weakness type: CWE-502.
Product: Microsoft Windows · Assigned by: microsoft · Published: 2018-05-09
Affected and fixed versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | see vendor advisory |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA-ADP | 3.1 | 7.5 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: high (needs special conditions)
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: required (a user must click/open something)
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: added 2024-08-05; federal due date 2024-08-26. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 73.04% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by microsoft
- — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vendor and project advisories, patches
- Listed in CISA KEV notes (msrc.microsoft.com) msrc.microsoft.com
Vulnerability records
- CVE.org record CVE-2018-0824 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2018-0824 nvd.nist.gov
Government
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- 1040848 securitytracker.com
- 44906 exploit-db.com
- 104030 securityfocus.com
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com portal.msrc.microsoft.com
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