<< Back
CVE Number Vulnerability Product Severity Date
CVE-2018-0986 Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Microsoft Security Essentials Critical 11-04-2018

Technical Information

Brief overview of the risk:
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.

Detailed Information on the risk:
To exploit this vulnerability, a specially crafted file must be scanned by an affected version of the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine. There are many ways that an attacker could place a specially crafted file in a location that is scanned by the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine. For example, an attacker could use a website to deliver a specially crafted file to the victim’s system that is scanned when the website is viewed by the user. An attacker could also deliver a specially crafted file via an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that is scanned when the file is opened. In addition, an attacker could take advantage of websites that accept or host user-provided content, to upload a specially crafted file to a shared location that is scanned by the Malware Protection Engine running on the hosting server.

Further information on this exploit is available at : CVE-2018-0986

Affected Software


Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection
Windows Intune Endpoint Protection
Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010
Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection
Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Endpoint Protection
Windows Defender on Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Defender on Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2012
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Defender on Windows 8.1 for 32-bit systems
Windows Defender on Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Defender on Windows RT 8.1
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Defender on Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 for x64-based Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2016
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
Windows Defender on Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1703 for x64-based Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Defender on Windows 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems
Windows Defender on Windows Server version 1709 (Server Core Installation)