IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.4
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2018-8581|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Microsoft Exchange Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange Server. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could attempt to impersonate any other user of the Exchange server.

Published Nov 14, 2018 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data. CISA has confirmed use of this vulnerability in known ransomware campaigns — treat as high priority for remediation. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-03-17 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This vulnerability affects Microsoft Exchange Server. An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange Server, aka "Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Exchange Server. Exploitation requires remote network access, higher attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Exchange Administrators
Messaging Team
IT Security
Running exchange server: 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA confirms this CVE has been used in known ransomware campaigns. Added to the KEV catalog on 2022-03-03; federal agencies required to remediate by 2022-03-17.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8581
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8581
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8581
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