SYSTEM code execution via writable spool directory
Published Feb 9, 2022 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to execute code as SYSTEM through a crafted spool directory. The SpoolDirectory setting is writable by ordinary users, and the SYSTEM spooler follows a directory junction to create and load attacker-controlled files outside the intended spool path. A low-privileged local session and a running Print Spooler service are required; successful exploitation grants SYSTEM control.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to execute code as SYSTEM through a crafted spool directory. The SpoolDirectory setting is writable by ordinary users, and the SYSTEM spooler follows a directory junction to create and load attacker-controlled files outside the intended spool path. A low-privileged local session and a running Print Spooler service are required; successful exploitation grants SYSTEM control.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-21999
- Published
- Feb 9, 2022
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- CWE-22, CWE-59, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 9, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 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.
- Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19204
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
- Metasploit SpoolFool privilege-escalation modulefunctional · demonstrated
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Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog listingknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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