CVE-2018-8413

HIGH

Windows Theme API - Remote Code Execution via File Decompression

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2018-8413. PoCs published by Eduardo Braun Prado.

AI-analyzed exploit summary The code generates a malicious '.themepack' file that exploits a path traversal vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Theme API to drop an HTA file in the startup directory, achieving arbitrary file creation and potential RCE on next logon.

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when "Windows Theme API" does not properly decompress files, aka "Windows Theme API Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Eduardo Braun Prado · clocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47975

The code generates a malicious '.themepack' file that exploits a path traversal vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Theme API to drop an HTA file in the startup directory, achieving arbitrary file creation and potential RCE on next logon.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows 10 v.1803 (17134.407) and earlier versions
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User interaction to open the malicious '.themepack' file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041824
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105448

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.6288
EPSS Percentile 98.4%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

Status published
Products (16)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_10 1607
microsoft/windows_10 1703
microsoft/windows_10 1709
microsoft/windows_10 1803
microsoft/windows_10 1809
microsoft/windows_7
microsoft/windows_8.1
microsoft/windows_rt_8.1
microsoft/windows_server_2008 r2 sp1
... and 6 more
Published Oct 10, 2018
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026