CVE-2022-21997Public exploit

Protected file deletion via symbolic-link following

Published Feb 9, 2022 · Updated Jan 2, 2025

Improper link resolution in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to delete protected files through crafted symbolic links. A localspl.dll deletion path passes a crafted .SHD pathname to DeleteFile without rejecting a symbolic-link target, so the Local System spooler deletes the referenced file. Exploitation requires a local low-privilege account and control of a printer spool directory; it deletes files but does not directly disclose or modify their contents.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to delete protected files through crafted symbolic links. A localspl.dll deletion path passes a crafted .SHD pathname to DeleteFile without rejecting a symbolic-link target, so the Local System spooler deletes the referenced file. Exploitation requires a local low-privilege account and control of a printer spool directory; it deletes files but does not directly disclose or modify their contents.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-21997
Published
Feb 9, 2022
Updated
Jan 2, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 10 Version 1507
Classifications
CWE-59, T1070.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 9, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 2, 2025Record 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19204

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1507version=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19204
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2565
Microsoft · Windows 7version=6.1.0 <6.1.7601.25860
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 21H1version=10.0.0 <10.0.19043.1526
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1909version=10.0.0 <10.0.18363.2094
Microsoft · Windows 8.1version=6.3.0 <6.3.9600.20269
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4946
Microsoft · Windows 11 version 21H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.22000.493
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.23605
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.23605
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 21H2version=10.0.19043.0 <10.0.19044.1526
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4946
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.25860
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 20H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.19042.1526
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.25860
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20269
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2565
Microsoft · Windows 7 Service Pack 1version=6.1.0 <6.1.7601.25860
Microsoft · Windows Server version 20H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.19042.1526
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1607version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.4946
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21374
Microsoft · Windows Server 2022version=10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.524
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1809version=10.0.0 <10.0.17763.2565; version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.2565
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20269
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21374

Published CVSS scores

6.2Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
7.1Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1070.004File Deletion

Public exploit references

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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