CVE-2021-34481Network attack vector

SYSTEM code execution via privileged driver installation

Published Jul 16, 2021 · Updated Aug 10, 2026

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows remote authenticated users to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Point and Print lets nonadministrators install or update printer drivers from a remote computer while the spooler performs resulting file operations with elevated privileges. The attack requires low-privileged access and Point and Print use; successful exploitation permits full host compromise, including data access and account creation.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability47.72%
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 Print Spooler allows remote authenticated users to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Point and Print lets nonadministrators install or update printer drivers from a remote computer while the spooler performs resulting file operations with elevated privileges. The attack requires low-privileged access and Point and Print use; successful exploitation permits full host compromise, including data access and account creation.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-34481
Published
Jul 16, 2021
Updated
Aug 10, 2026
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 10 Version 1507
Classifications
CWE-269, T1068
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 16, 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=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19022

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1507version=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19022
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2114
Microsoft · Windows 7version=6.1.0 <6.1.7601.25685
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 21H1version=10.0.0 <10.0.19043.1165
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1909version=10.0.0 <10.0.18363.1734
Microsoft · Windows 8.1version=6.3.0 <6.3.9600.20094
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4583
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.23435
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.23435
Microsoft · Windows Server, version 2004version=10.0.0 <10.0.19041.1165
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4583
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.25685
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 20H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.19042.1165
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.25685
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20094
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2114
Microsoft · Windows 7 Service Pack 1version=6.1.0 <6.1.7601.25685
Microsoft · Windows Server version 20H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.19042.1165
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1607version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4583
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21192
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 2004version=10.0.0 <10.0.19041.1165
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1809version=10.0.0 <10.0.17763.2114; version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2114
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20094
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21192

Published CVSS scores

8.8Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/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

CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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