CVE-2018-8410 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Kernel API improperly handles registry objects in memory, aka "Windows Registry Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8410 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows kernel registry handling mechanisms, classified under CWE-119 as improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate registry objects in memory through flawed kernel API interactions, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows Kernel API's processing of registry objects, where insufficient validation and memory management controls enable malicious code to exploit the system's core registry handling functions. The affected platforms span multiple Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, and various Windows 10 server editions, indicating a widespread impact across the Windows ecosystem. The root cause stems from improper handling of registry objects during kernel operations, where the system fails to adequately validate the integrity and permissions of registry entries before processing them in memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables a local attacker with standard user privileges to escalate their access level to SYSTEM privileges, effectively bypassing Windows security controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious registry objects that, when processed by the vulnerable kernel API, trigger memory corruption or privilege manipulation. The attack vector typically involves the execution of malicious code that leverages the kernel's improper registry object handling to gain elevated privileges, allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes "Local Privilege Escalation" and can be exploited through the use of kernel exploits targeting memory management flaws. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that it operates at the kernel level, where the attacker can manipulate critical system components without detection by typical user-mode security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8410 primarily focus on applying Microsoft's security patches and updates released through Windows Update or Microsoft Update Catalog. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security patches, particularly KB4093420 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2012 R2, and similar updates for other affected systems. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that user accounts operate with minimal necessary permissions to reduce the impact if exploitation occurs. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous registry access patterns or unusual privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and disabling unnecessary registry access can help prevent exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-119 emphasizes the importance of proper memory management and bounds checking in kernel components, making defensive coding practices and regular security audits essential for preventing similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious kernel-level registry manipulations and privilege escalation attempts, as these tools can provide additional layers of protection beyond traditional patch management approaches.