Microsoft Windows up to Server 2016 Malware Protection Engine memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2016. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Malware Protection Engine. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2018-0986. The attack may be launched remotely. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2016 (Operating System). This vulnerability affects an unknown part of the component Malware Protection Engine. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The Microsoft Malware Protection Engine running on Microsoft Forefront and Microsoft Defender on Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, 1709 and Windows Server 2016, Windows Server, version 1709, Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and 2016, does not properly scan a specially crafted file leading to remote code execution. aka "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability".

The bug was discovered 04/03/2018. The weakness was shared 04/03/2018 with Google Project Zero as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared for download at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2018-0986 since 12/01/2017. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available. The advisory points out:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine does not properly scan a specially crafted file, leading to memory corruption. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code in the security context of the LocalSystem account and take control of the system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. As 0-day the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 108813 (Microsoft Malware Protection Engine < 1.1.14700.5 RCE), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 370861 (Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Exploit-DB (44402), Tenable (108813) and SecurityFocus (BID 103593†). The entry VDB-115994 is related to this item. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 up to Server 1909
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2013/2016

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 108813
Nessus Name: Microsoft Malware Protection Engine < 1.1.14700.5 RCE
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 54973
OpenVAS Name: Microsoft Malware Protection Engine on Windows Defender RCE Vulnerability - Apr 2018
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

12/01/2017 🔍
04/03/2018 +123 days 🔍
04/03/2018 +0 days 🔍
04/03/2018 +0 days 🔍
04/03/2018 +0 days 🔍
04/04/2018 +1 days 🔍
04/04/2018 +0 days 🔍
04/05/2018 +1 days 🔍
09/16/2025 +2721 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: portal.msrc.microsoft.com
Organization: Google Project Zero
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2018-0986 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2018-0986
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-115804

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 103593 - Microsoft Malware Protection Engine CVE-2018-0986 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
SecurityTracker: 1040631

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/05/2018 10:29
Updated: 09/16/2025 03:00
Changes: 04/05/2018 10:29 (70), 06/06/2020 12:35 (20), 02/08/2021 16:14 (3), 09/16/2025 03:00 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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