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CVE-2017-8540

Published: May 26, 2017Updated: Apr 22, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-787
NVD MITRE
7.8CVSSHIGH
EPSS Score
72.0%
Top 0.6%
CISA KEV
Active Exploitation
Since Mar 3, 2022
Exploits
1 Known
Remediation
Patch Available

Description

The Microsoft Malware Protection Engine running on Microsoft Forefront and Microsoft Defender on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and 2016, does not properly scan a specially crafted file leading to memory corruption. aka "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability", a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-8538 and CVE-2017-8541.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:NUI:RS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:RUser Interaction
Required
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

CWE-787

Affected Products

Malware Protection EngineMicrosoft Corporation
Mixed
Operating Systems / windows
Microsoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Corp
On-prem
Operating Systems
Microsoft Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft Corp
On-prem
Operating Systems / windows
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint ProtectionMicrosoft Corp
On-prem
Operating Systems / windows
Microsoft Security EssentialsMicrosoft Corp
On-prem
Operating Systems / windows
microsoft corporationcommercialUSOperating Systemsaka microsoft
microsoft corpcommercialUSOperating Systemsaka microsoft corporation
and 12 more affected products View all →

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes to view MITRE ATT&CK details. Scroll to zoom, drag to pan.

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Added to KEV:Mar 3, 2022
Remediation due:Mar 24, 2022

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

1 exploit source identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details
Official Patch Available
Workaround Available

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Initial Access
Privilege Escalation
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2017-8540
portal.msrc.microsoft.com
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98703
securityfocus.com
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42088/
exploit-db.com
and 4 more references View all →

Timeline

Published
May 26, 2017
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Last Updated
Apr 22, 2026

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