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Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Severity unknownCVSS unknownCheck the vendor advisory for fixed versions

CISA lists this Microsoft vulnerability as known exploited. Its MSRC release detail is outside this installation's collected history.

CISA catalog record

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.

Product
Windows
Added to KEV
3 Nov 2021
Federal remediation due
3 May 2022
Known ransomware use
Yes
Page history

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Field-level log (2)

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  1. 23 Oct 2026 · 09:33:49 UTC Source coverage: cisa-kevIncomplete → Current
  2. 23 Oct 2026 · 08:31:50 UTC Source coverage: cisa-kevCurrent → Incomplete

Explore global source statements, affected packages and advisory history for CVE-2021-34527. The catalog has a separate collection scope from Microsoft release records.

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Exploitation and risk

Source status

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CVE-2021-34527

Listed in CISA KEV · added 3 Nov 2021 · Microsoft · Windows

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 source

No EPSS score is available here for this CVE.

Saved 23 Oct 2026 16:01:26 UTC · View this risk record (JSON)

cve-program · CVE-2021-34527

Published

Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

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.

Source published
2 Jul 2021 21:25:11 UTC
Source modified
10 Aug 2026 15:12:05 UTC
Saved here
23 Oct 2026 15:48:27 UTC
Source terms
CVE Program Terms of Use

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

Source: cve-program · CVE Program Terms of Use. The publisher's wording is preserved. ChangeIntel groups the information and labels changes. The JSON record includes additional source fields.

CVSS 3.1 · 8.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C

ChangeIntel

An IT change radar: releases, security, known issues, retirements, documentation changes, and service status from public sources. Every item links to supporting evidence; dates and statuses can change after they are read.

Sources read 13 Nov 18:29 UTC · 274 of 275 readable · 273 fully read · documentation 469/469 current