CVE-2021-34527 Details
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 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 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.
A remote code execution vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Print Spooler service. This issue arises because the service improperly handles privileged file operations. An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. The vulnerability is also known as 'PrintNightmare'.
Users should install the security updates released by Microsoft for this vulnerability. After applying the updates, it is important to verify that certain registry settings are configured correctly to prevent exploitation. Additionally, the Print Spooler service can be disabled or Group Policy settings can be adjusted to block remote printing.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
CISA-ADP
Assessed Jan 24, 2024References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
By selecting these links, you will be leaving this site. These are references gathered from the official CVE record and are not endorsed by Volerion.
| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-34527 | CISA-ADP | US Government Resource |
| http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167261/Print-Spooler-Remote-DLL-Injection.html | CVE | ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-34527 | CVE | MitigationPatchVendor Advisory |
| https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/383432 | CVE | Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource |
| https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2021-34527-printnightmare-detection-script | CVE | ExploitThird Party Advisory |
| https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2021-34527-printnightmare-mitigation-script | CVE | ExploitThird Party Advisory |
| https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34527 | [email protected] | PatchVendor Advisory |
This CVE is in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
Reference CISA's BOD 22-01 and Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog for further guidance and requirements.
| Vulnerability Name | Date Added | Due Date | Required Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Apply updates per vendor instructions. |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NVD-CWE-noinfo | Insufficient Information to Classify Weakness | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| microsoft windows 10 1507 | < 10.0.10240.18969 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows 10 1607 | < 10.0.14393.4470 |
CPE
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| microsoft windows 10 1809 | < 10.0.17763.2029 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows 10 20h2 | < 10.0.19042.1083 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.1415 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.2251 |
CPE
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| microsoft windows 11 21h2 | < 10.0.22000.318 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows 11 22h2 | < 10.0.22621.674 |
CPE
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| microsoft windows rt 8.1 | All versions |
CPE
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| microsoft windows server 2008 | r2 sp1 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows server 2012 | r2 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows server 2016 | < 10.0.14393.4470 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows server 2019 | < 10.0.17763.2029 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows server 2022 | < 10.0.20348.230 |
CPE
Remediation
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| microsoft windows server 20h2 | < 10.0.19042.1083 |
CPE
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Change History
23 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2026 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Aug 10, 2026 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Nov 4, 2025 | CVE Modified | CVE |
| Oct 30, 2025 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Oct 22, 2025 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Oct 21, 2025 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Oct 21, 2025 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Apr 17, 2025 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Apr 16, 2025 | CVE Modified | CVE |
| Mar 13, 2025 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Nov 21, 2024 | CVE Modified | CVE |
| May 14, 2024 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Feb 2, 2024 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Dec 28, 2023 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jul 2, 2022 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| May 25, 2022 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Sep 20, 2021 | Modified Analysis | [email protected] |
| Jul 14, 2021 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jul 8, 2021 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jul 7, 2021 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |