CVE-2021-34481
HighCVSS 8.8Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Very high risk99th percentile - higher than 99% of all known CVEs
Summary
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. An attacker could run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges, install programs, view/change/delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights. Microsoft has released security updates.
Risk Assessment
Risk includes full system compromise by an attacker with SYSTEM privileges, potentially leading to complete takeover and data loss.
Recommendation
Immediately install Microsoft security updates and change the default Point and Print behavior as per KB5005652.
Other vulnerabilities in Windows Print Spooler
See all- CVE-2022-41073HighActively exploited
Elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler. An attacker could exploit it to gain elevated privileges.
- CVE-2022-38028HighActively exploited
A vulnerability in the Windows Print Spooler service allows for elevation of privilege. Technical details are not provided in the description.
- CVE-2022-22718HighActively exploited
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
- CVE-2022-21999HighActively exploited
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
- CVE-2021-36958High
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. An attacker could run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges, install programs, view/change/delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.
- CVE-2021-36947High
Vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler allows remote code execution. An attacker could exploit it to run arbitrary code on the vulnerable system.
- CVE-2021-36936High
Vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler allows remote code execution. An attacker could exploit it to run arbitrary code on the vulnerable system.
- CVE-2021-34527HighActively exploited
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Windows Print Spooler service due to improper privileged file operations. An attacker can exploit it to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges, allowing them to install programs, modify data, or create accounts with full user rights. Microsoft has released security updates, but additional registry and Group Policy settings must be verified.
- CVE-2021-1675HighActively exploited
A remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.
- CVE-2020-1048High
Elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler service that improperly allows arbitrary writing to the file system. An attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges.
Original NVD description (English source)
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. UPDATE August 10, 2021: Microsoft has completed the investigation and has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Please see the Security Updates table for the applicable update for your system. We recommend that you install these updates immediately. This security update changes the Point and Print default behavior; please see KB5005652.

