CVE-2021-35469

Local privilege escalation via unquoted service path

Published Jul 14, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Unquoted service path in Lexmark Printer Software G2, G3, and G4 packages allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. The installers register the SYSTEM-level LM__bdsvc ImagePath without quoting its executable under C:\Program Files, so service startup can select an attacker-supplied C:\Program executable. Exposure requires the optional Status Center component and the ability to place that file locally; successful exploitation gives the process SYSTEM control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unquoted service path in Lexmark Printer Software G2, G3, and G4 packages allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. The installers register the SYSTEM-level LM__bdsvc ImagePath without quoting its executable under C:\Program Files, so service startup can select an attacker-supplied C:\Program executable. Exposure requires the optional Status Center component and the ability to place that file locally; successful exploitation gives the process SYSTEM control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-35469
Published
Jul 14, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-428, T1574.009
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 14, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8LexmarkCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-428Unquoted Search Path or Element
T1574.009Path Interception by Unquoted Path

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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