CVE-2021-34527
Detail
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>
Metrics
NVD enrichment efforts reference publicly available information to associate
vector strings. CVSS information contributed by other sources is also
displayed.
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
NVD assessment
not yet provided.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
CNA: Microsoft Corporation
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
Vector:
(AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C)
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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 |
11/03/2021 |
05/03/2022 |
Apply updates per vendor instructions. |
Change History
22 change records found show changes
CVE Modified by CISA-ADP
6/16/2026 11:56:03 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
SSVC |
{"timestamp":"2024-01-24T16:04:14.042095Z","id":"CVE-2021-34527","options":[{"exploitation":"active"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"role":"CISA Coordinator","version":"2.0.3"}
|
CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation
6/16/2026 11:56:03 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Affected |
Record truncated, showing 2048 of 7962 characters.
View Entire Change Record
[{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows 10 Version 1809","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:10.0.17763.2029:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*","cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:10.0.17763.2029:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*","cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:10.0.17763.2029:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*"],"platforms":["32-bit Systems","x64-based Systems","ARM64-based Systems"],"versions":[{"version":"10.0.0","lessThan":"10.0.17763.2029","versionType":"custom","status":"affected"}]},{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows Server 2019","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:10.0.17763.2029:*:*:*:*:*:*:*"],"platforms":["x64-based Systems"],"versions":[{"version":"10.0.0","lessThan":"10.0.17763.2029","versionType":"custom","status":"affected"}]},{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:10.0.17763.2029:*:*:*:*:*:*:*"],"platforms":["x64-based Systems"],"versions":[{"version":"10.0.0","lessThan":"10.0.17763.2029","versionType":"custom","status":"affected"}]},{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows Server 2022","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:10.0.20348.230:*:*:*:*:*:*:*"],"platforms":["x64-based Systems"],"versions":[{"version":"10.0.0","lessThan":"10.0.20348.230","versionType":"custom","status":"affected"}]},{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows 10 Version 20H2","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_20H2:10.0.19042.1083:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*","cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_20H2:10.0.19042.1083:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*"],"platforms":["32-bit Systems","ARM64-based Systems"],"versions":[{"version":"10.0.0","lessThan":"10.0.19042.1083","versionType":"custom","status":"affected"}]},{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows Server version 20H2","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_20H2:10.0.19042.1083:*:*:*:*:*:*:*"],"platforms":["x64-based Systems"],"versions":[{"version":"10.0.0","lessThan":"10.0.19042.1083","versionType":"custom","status":"affected"}]},{"vendor":"Microsoft","product":"Windows 11 version 21H2","cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:micro
|
CVE CISA KEV Update by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) U.S. Civilian Government
12/17/2025 9:00:03 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Changed |
Due Date |
2021-07-20
|
2022-05-03
|
Modified Analysis by NIST
11/06/2025 9:51:15 AM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference Type |
CVE: https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/383432 Types: Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
|
CVE Modified by CVE
11/04/2025 3:16:00 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/383432
|
Modified Analysis by NIST
10/30/2025 3:13:25 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference Type |
CISA-ADP: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-34527 Types: US Government Resource
|
CVE Modified by CISA-ADP
10/21/2025 8:17:38 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-34527
|
CVE Modified by CISA-ADP
10/21/2025 4:18:38 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Removed |
Reference |
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-34527
|
CVE Modified by CISA-ADP
10/21/2025 3:19:09 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-34527
|
Modified Analysis by NIST
4/17/2025 1:59:06 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference Type |
CVE: https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2021-34527-printnightmare-detection-script Types: Exploit, Third Party Advisory
|
| Added |
Reference Type |
CVE: https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2021-34527-printnightmare-mitigation-script Types: Exploit, Third Party Advisory
|
CVE Modified by CVE
4/16/2025 12:15:18 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2021-34527-printnightmare-detection-script
|
| Added |
Reference |
https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2021-34527-printnightmare-mitigation-script
|
Modified Analysis by NIST
3/13/2025 12:41:56 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
CWE |
NVD-CWE-noinfo
|
| Removed |
CWE |
CWE-269
|
CVE Modified by CVE
11/21/2024 1:10:36 AM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167261/Print-Spooler-Remote-DLL-Injection.html
|
| Added |
Reference |
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-34527
|
CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation
5/14/2024 5:13:45 AM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
Modified Analysis by NIST
2/02/2024 12:24:01 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Changed |
CPE Configuration |
OR
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
OR
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1507:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.18969
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.4470
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.2029
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19042.1083
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19044.1415
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19045.2251
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.318
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.22621.674
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.4470
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.2029
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.230
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19042.1083
|
CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation
12/28/2023 6:15:41 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Changed |
Description |
Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
|
Record truncated, showing 2048 of 2422 characters.
View Entire Change Record
<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-18
|
| Added |
CVSS V3.1 |
Microsoft Corporation AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
|
Modified Analysis by NIST
7/02/2022 5:08:54 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Changed |
Reference Type |
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167261/Print-Spooler-Remote-DLL-Injection.html No Types Assigned
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167261/Print-Spooler-Remote-DLL-Injection.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
|
CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation
5/25/2022 12:15:08 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167261/Print-Spooler-Remote-DLL-Injection.html [No Types Assigned]
|
Modified Analysis by NIST
9/20/2021 3:00:11 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation
7/14/2021 2:15:12 PM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Removed |
Reference |
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/383432 [No Types Assigned]
|
CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation
7/08/2021 12:15:09 AM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
Reference |
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/383432 [No Types Assigned]
|
Initial Analysis by NIST
7/07/2021 9:28:00 AM
| Action |
Type |
Old Value |
New Value |
| Added |
CVSS V3.1 |
NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
|
| Added |
CVSS V2 |
NIST (AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C)
|
| Added |
CWE |
NIST CWE-269
|
| Added |
CPE Configuration |
OR
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
*cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
| Changed |
Reference Type |
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-34527 No Types Assigned
|
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-34527 Mitigation, Patch, Vendor Advisory
|
Quick Info
CVE Dictionary Entry: CVE-2021-34527 NVD
Published Date: 07/02/2021 NVD
Last Modified: 06/16/2026
Source: Microsoft Corporation
|
