Exploited
CWE
119 787
Advisory Published
Updated

CVE-2017-8540: Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Improper Restriction of Operations Vulnerability

First published: Fri May 26 2017(Updated: )

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.

Credit: secure@microsoft.com secure@microsoft.com

Affected SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine<=1.1.13704.0
Microsoft Windows Defender
Microsoft Exchange Server=2013
Microsoft Exchange Server=2016
Microsoft Windows 10
Microsoft Windows 10=1511
Microsoft Windows 10=1607
Microsoft Windows 10=1703
Microsoft Windows 7=sp1
Microsoft Windows 8.1
Microsoft Windows RT
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Itanium=sp2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Itanium=r2-sp1
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 x64
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 x64=r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
All of
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine>=1.1.13701.0<1.1.13704.0
Any of
Microsoft Windows 10 1507
Microsoft Windows 10 1511
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 x86
Microsoft Windows 10 1703
Microsoft Windows 7=sp1
Microsoft Windows 8.1
Microsoft Windows RT
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Itanium=sp2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Itanium=r2-sp1
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 x64
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 x64=r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection
Microsoft Exchange Server=2013
Microsoft Exchange Server=2016
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection=2010
Microsoft Intune Endpoint Protection
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection
All of
>=1.1.13701.0<1.1.13704.0
Any of
=sp1
=sp2
=r2-sp1
=r2
=2013
=2016
=2010

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of CVE-2017-8540?

    CVE-2017-8540 is rated as critical due to the potential for remote code execution on vulnerable systems.

  • How do I fix CVE-2017-8540?

    You can fix CVE-2017-8540 by updating the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine to the latest version available.

  • Which software is affected by CVE-2017-8540?

    CVE-2017-8540 affects versions of the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and Windows Defender across various Windows operating systems.

  • What are the risks associated with CVE-2017-8540?

    The risks associated with CVE-2017-8540 include potential unauthorized access and control over affected systems.

  • Is there a workaround for CVE-2017-8540?

    While updating is the best solution, temporarily disabling the malware protection engine may serve as a workaround until updates can be applied.

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