CVE-2021-34527

Known Exploited Public Exploit
Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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 (<strong>Note</strong>: 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):</p> <ul> <li>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint</li> <li>NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall = 0 (DWORD) or not defined (default setting)</li> <li>UpdatePromptSettings = 0 (DWORD) or not defined (default setting)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Having NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall set to 1 makes your system vulnerable by design.</strong></p> <p>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 <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/topic/31b91c02-05bc-4ada-a7ea-183b129578a7">KB5005010: Restricting installation of new printer drivers after applying the July 6, 2021 updates</a>.</p> <p>Note that the security updates released on and after July 6, 2021 contain protections for CVE-2021-1675 and the additional remote code execution exploit in the Windows Print Spooler service known as “PrintNightmare”, documented in CVE-2021-34527.</p>

8.8
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
CVSS 2.0 •
EPSS 94.26% Top 5%
KEV Since 
Vendor Advisory microsoft.com
Affected: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2019
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Affected: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 20H2
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server version 20H2
Affected: Microsoft Windows 11 version 21H2
Affected: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2
Affected: Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2
Affected: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2
Affected: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1507
Affected: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Affected: Microsoft Windows 8.1
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
Affected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2021-34527?
CVE-2021-34527 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2021-34527?
To fix CVE-2021-34527, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2021-34527 being actively exploited in the wild?
It is confirmed that CVE-2021-34527 is actively exploited. Be extra cautious if you are using vulnerable components. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~94% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2021-34527?
CVE-2021-34527 affects Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation), Microsoft Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 20H2, Microsoft Windows Server version 20H2, Microsoft Windows 11 version 21H2, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2, Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation), Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation), Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation), Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation), Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation).
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