CVE-2018-0748 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows kernel in Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 and RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703 and 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an elevation of privilege vulnerability due to the way memory addresses are handled, aka "Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
This vulnerability resides in the Windows kernel's memory management subsystem and represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw that affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 version 1709. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory addresses within the kernel's address space management, creating opportunities for malicious code to escalate privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access. The flaw manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate or sanitize memory address references during certain kernel operations, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layouts and execute code with elevated privileges. This issue falls under CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, and specifically relates to memory management vulnerabilities in kernel space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where all system resources are accessible, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent system compromise. The impact extends across a wide range of Windows versions, including server and client operating systems, indicating a widespread exposure that affects both desktop and enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to leverage specific memory manipulation techniques that take advantage of the kernel's memory address handling mechanisms. Attackers can potentially use this flaw to gain SYSTEM-level privileges by manipulating memory addresses in ways that bypass normal access controls and security boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting malicious payloads that can manipulate kernel memory structures, potentially through use-after-free conditions or memory corruption scenarios that allow for privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and represents a common attack pattern where adversaries leverage software flaws to gain elevated system access. The memory management flaw creates a path for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, enabling them to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, or extract sensitive data from protected system areas.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant operational risks including complete system compromise and potential data breaches. The widespread nature of the affected operating systems means that both enterprise networks and individual workstations could be vulnerable, creating extensive exposure across different environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent access to systems, making detection and remediation more challenging. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the fact that it operates silently at the kernel level, making traditional endpoint protection solutions less effective at detecting the exploitation attempts. System administrators must implement immediate mitigations including applying security patches from Microsoft, implementing network segmentation to limit attack surface, and monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities. Organizations should also consider deploying advanced threat detection solutions that can monitor kernel-level activities and memory manipulation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Windows versions requires coordinated patch management efforts and comprehensive security assessments to identify and remediate affected systems. Regular security audits and privilege access reviews become essential to maintain system integrity and prevent unauthorized escalation of privileges through this and similar kernel-level vulnerabilities.