CVE-2021-33746Network attack vector

Remote code execution via crafted DNS traffic

Published Jul 14, 2021 · Updated Aug 10, 2026

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows DNS Server allows remote authenticated users to execute code through crafted DNS traffic. Microsoft has not disclosed the affected code locus or the incorrect operation performed while processing the traffic. Reachability requires the DNS Server role, network access, existing privileges, and user interaction; successful exploitation grants code execution in the service context.

CVSS severity8.0
High
EPSS probability1.98%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows DNS Server allows remote authenticated users to execute code through crafted DNS traffic. Microsoft has not disclosed the affected code locus or the incorrect operation performed while processing the traffic. Reachability requires the DNS Server role, network access, existing privileges, and user interaction; successful exploitation grants code execution in the service context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-33746
Published
Jul 14, 2021
Updated
Aug 10, 2026
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows Server 2019
Classifications
T1210
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 14, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 10, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2061

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows Server 2019version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2061
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4530
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.23409
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.23409
Microsoft · Windows Server, version 2004version=10.0.0 <10.0.19041.1110
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4530
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.25661
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.25661
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20069
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2061
Microsoft · Windows Server version 20H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.19042.1110
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21167
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20069
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21167

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.0Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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