Zero-day vulnerability in Windows

Improper input validation
CVE-2018-8414

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2018081412 - Remote command execution in Windows Shell on Microsoft Windows 10 and 2016

Vulnerable component: Windows

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-8414

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-20 - Improper input validation

Description:

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to an error when validating file paths in Windows Shell. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted file, trick the victim into opening it and execute arbitrary system commands on the vulnerable system.

Note: this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

External links:

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8414

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.