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Findings

CVE-2021-34527

Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Jul 2, 2021 · updated Aug 10, 2026 · microsoft windows 10 1507

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 July 7, 2021: The security update for Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10, Version 1607 have been released. Please see the Security Updates table for the applicable update for your system. We recommend that you install these updates immediately. If you are unable to install these updates, see the FAQ and Workaround sections in this CVE for information on how to help protect your system from this vulnerability. In addition to installing the updates, in order to secure your system, you must confirm that the following registry settings are set to 0 (zero) or are not defined (Note: These registry keys do not exist by default, and therefore are already at the secure setting.), also that your Group Policy setting are correct (see FAQ): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall = 0 (DWORD) or not defined (default setting) UpdatePromptSettings = 0 (DWORD) or not defined (default setting) Having NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall set to 1 makes your system vulnerable by design. UPDATE July 6, 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. If you are unable to install these updates, see the FAQ and Workaround sections in this CVE for information on how to help protect your system from this vulnerability. See also KB5005010: Restricting installation of new printer drivers after applying the July 6, 2021 updates. Note that the security upd

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Jul 2, 2021 · Catalog

    Detected

    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 July 7, 2021: The security update for

  2. Nov 3, 2021 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  3. May 3, 2022 · CISA KEV

    Remediation due

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  4. Aug 10, 2026 · Catalog

    Updated

    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 July 7, 2021: The security update for

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA due date May 3, 2022

Affected

  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 1507version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 1607version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 1809version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 20h2version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 21h2version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 10 22h2version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 11 21h2version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows 11 22h2version unspecified
  • vendor Microsoft Windowsversion unspecified

Sources

  • CISA KEVCVE-2021-34527

    Microsoft Windows Print Spooler contains an unspecified vulnerability due to the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performing privileged file operations. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to perform remote code execution with SYSTEM privileges. The vulnerability is also known under the moniker of PrintNightmare.

    cisa.gov
  • CVE.orgCVE-2021-34527

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSCVE-2021-34527

    30-day exploitation probability 99.8%

    first.org
  • Metasploit Modulesexploit_windows/dcerpc/cve_2021_1675_printnightmare

    Public module reference (normal). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • NIST NVDCVE-2021-34527

    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;

    nvd.nist.gov
  • Packet Storm Securityhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167261/Print-Spooler-Remote-DLL-Injection.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com

References