SYSTEM code execution via unrestricted printer drivers
Published Jun 8, 2021 · Updated Aug 12, 2026
Code execution in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges through a crafted driver. AddPrinterDriverEx accepts a user-selected driver path, and spoolsv.exe loads the referenced DLL without restricting the caller to administrators. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction; successful code runs as SYSTEM and can fully control the host.
Summary
What happened
Code execution in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges through a crafted driver. AddPrinterDriverEx accepts a user-selected driver path, and spoolsv.exe loads the referenced DLL without restricting the caller to administrators. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction; successful code runs as SYSTEM and can fully control the host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-1675
- Published
- Jun 8, 2021
- Updated
- Aug 12, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 8, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 12, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=10.0.0 <10.0.10240.18967
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Print Spooler Remote DLL Injectionproof of concept · unverified
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities entryknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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