High severity · published Jul 16, 2021
CVE-2021-34481
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations
8.8
CVSS
47.7%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)47.7% · higher than 99% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
WI
Windows · Microsoft
20h2; 21h1; 1607; 1809; 1909; 2004 · source: NVD
W7
Windows 7 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
W8
Windows 8.1 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WR
Windows RT 8.1 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WS
Windows Server 2012 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
WS
Windows Server 2019 · Microsoft
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
Affected product
WI
Windows
Microsoft
More from Windows
10.0
CVE-2020-1350
Microsoft Windows DNS Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
9.8
CVE-2025-59287
Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
9.8
CVE-2019-0708
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
9.8
CVE-2017-8543
Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
9.8
CVE-2008-4250
Microsoft Windows Buffer Overflow Vulnerability