CVE-2017-8540Actively exploitedAdded to KEV 2022-03-03

Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Improper Restriction of Operations Vulnerability

Microsoft, Malware Protection Engine

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".

CVSS severity for this advisory hasn't been enriched from NVD yet, check back shortly.

EPSS, exploit probability

Critical

71.9%

estimated chance of real-world exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.4% of every CVE FIRST.org scores

Refreshed 10/28/2026, via FIRST.org's EPSS model, not CVSS, this measures likelihood of exploitation, not how severe it would be.

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA-recommended due date: 2022-03-24

CWE-119

Talk to us about this

Penetration Testing

Confirm whether this vulnerability class is actually exploitable in your environment.

Security Engineering

Get help implementing the required action and closing the gap.

Our guide to vulnerability management and patch prioritization

View on CISA's KEV catalog View on NVD

Not sure if this affects you?

We help organizations confirm real exposure and prioritize what actually needs fixing first.

Request a Security Assessment Browse Services