CVE-2021-34481Windows 10 Vulnerability
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations.
Published Jul 16, 2021 · Updated Aug 10, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-34481 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Nov 30, 2022. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 48% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Windows 10 1507 10.0.10240.19022, Windows 10 1607 10.0.14393.4583, Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.2114.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
48%
Higher than 98.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Exploited (KEV)
ATLAS score
53/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Nov 30, 2022
502 days after publication
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Exploited (KEV)
Public exploit code
0
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
1
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
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 August 10, 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. This security update changes the Point and Print default behavior; please see KB5005652.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Nov 30, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Affected Products
70 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10Microsoft | 1607, 1809, 1909, 2004, 20h2, 21h1 | n/a |
| Windows 10 1507Microsoft | 10.0.10240.19022 | 10.0.10240.19022 |
| Windows 10 1607Microsoft | 10.0.14393.4583 | 10.0.14393.4583 |
| Windows 10 1809Microsoft | 10.0.17763.2114, 10.0.18363.1734, 10.0.19041.1165 | 10.0.17763.2114 |
| Windows 10 1909Microsoft | 10.0.18363.1734 | 10.0.18363.1734 |
Patched Releases
Windows 10 1507
10.0.10240.19022
Windows 10 1607
10.0.14393.4583
Windows 10 1809
10.0.17763.2114, 10.0.18363.1734, 10.0.19041.1165
Windows 10 1909
10.0.18363.1734
windows 10 20H2
10.0.19042.1165
windows 10 21H1
10.0.19043.1165
Windows 7
6.1.7601.25685
Windows 8.1
6.3.9600.20094
Windows Rt 8.1
6.3.9600.20094
Windows Server 2004
10.0.19041.1165
windows server 2008 R2
6.1.7601.25685
Windows Server 2008 Sp2
6.0.6003.21192
Windows Server 2012
6.2.9200.23435
windows server 2012 R2
6.3.9600.20094
Windows Server 2016
10.0.14393.4583
Windows Server 2019
10.0.17763.2114
windows server 20H2
10.0.19042.1165
Windows 10 Version 1507
10.0.10240.19022
Windows 10 Version 1607
10.0.14393.4583
Windows 10 Version 1809
10.0.17763.2114
Windows 10 Version 1909
10.0.18363.1734
Windows 10 Version 2004
10.0.19041.1165
Windows 10 Version 20H2
10.0.19042.1165
Windows 10 Version 21H1
10.0.19043.1165
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
6.1.7601.25685
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jul 16, 2021
Added to Industry KEV feed
Nov 30, 2022
Last updated
Aug 10, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management
References
FAQ
Common Questions.
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations.
Affected: Windows 10 (Microsoft) versions 1607, 1809, 1909, 2004, 20h2, 21h1; Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft) versions 10.0.10240.19022; Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft) versions 10.0.14393.4583, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Nov 30, 2022.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Windows 10 1507 10.0.10240.19022, Windows 10 1607 10.0.14393.4583, Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.2114.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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