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CVE-2018-8453 is a local elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in the Windows Win32k kernel component, including win32k.sys on affected Windows versions. The flaw is caused by improper handling of objects in memory within Win32k, resulting in a memory-corruption condition consistent with a use-after-free/double-free class bug in kernel-mode window object management. Public reporting and exploit analyses describe attackers abusing Win32k window-handling logic to corrupt kernel memory and then execute a privilege-escalation payload that replaces or impersonates a highly privileged security token, ultimately elevating the current process to SYSTEM. The vulnerability was exploited in the wild and later incorporated into crimeware and ransomware tooling as a post-compromise privilege-escalation primitive.
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2 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
This repository contains a single Metasploit module implementing a local privilege escalation exploit for CVE-2018-8453, a vulnerability in the Windows Win32k component. The module targets Windows 10 v1703 x86 (Build 15063) and other affected Windows versions, as listed in the module description. It requires an existing Meterpreter session on a vulnerable system. The exploit works by uploading a precompiled exploit binary and a user-configured payload executable to the target's temporary directory, then executing the exploit to run the payload as SYSTEM. The payload is typically a Meterpreter shell or other executable, granting the attacker elevated privileges. The module is operational and allows for customizable payloads, but is not fully weaponized (i.e., not highly automated or multi-platform). The only fingerprintable endpoints are temporary file paths on the target and the local path to the exploit binary. The repository is structured as a single Ruby file compatible with the Metasploit framework.
This repository contains multiple implementations of a local privilege escalation exploit for CVE-2018-8453, a Windows kernel vulnerability. The exploit targets Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 RS2 (builds 15063 and 16299), as indicated in the README files. The structure includes several Visual Studio C++ projects for both x86 and x64 architectures, with both GUI and console variants. The main exploit logic is implemented in C/C++ with supporting assembly for low-level kernel interactions (e.g., _asm.asm). The exploit leverages Windows GDI palette objects and window class structures to achieve arbitrary kernel memory read/write, ultimately allowing the attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM. The code is operational and includes all necessary components to build and run the exploit on a vulnerable system. No network or remote attack vectors are present; exploitation requires local code execution. The repository is well-structured for research and adaptation to similar kernel vulnerabilities.
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Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
12 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A win32k.sys kernel privilege escalation vulnerability used by REvil to obtain SYSTEM privileges on infected Windows hosts.
A privilege escalation vulnerability leveraged by REvil after execution.
A Win32k elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Windows systems, referenced here as an older flaw previously exploited by APT28.
A Win32k privilege escalation vulnerability used by REvil to escalate privileges on compromised systems.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.