SYSTEM code execution via constraints-file path redirection
Published Oct 11, 2022 · Updated Jan 12, 2026
Elevation of privilege in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM permissions through a crafted constraints file. The service follows an attacker-controlled C: object-manager link to a modified MPDW-Constraints.js file, whose protocol-handler call loads an attacker DLL as SYSTEM. A low-privilege foothold and a running Print Spooler are required; successful exploitation grants complete control of the local host.
Summary
What happened
Elevation of privilege in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM permissions through a crafted constraints file. The service follows an attacker-controlled C: object-manager link to a modified MPDW-Constraints.js file, whose protocol-handler call loads an attacker DLL as SYSTEM. A low-privilege foothold and a running Print Spooler are required; successful exploitation grants complete control of the local host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-38028
- Published
- Oct 11, 2022
- Updated
- Jan 12, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 1, 2020Exploitation reportedForest Blizzard GooseEgg exploitation
- Oct 11, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 23, 2024Exploitation reportedCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listing
- Jan 12, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19507
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
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listingknown exploited catalog
- Forest Blizzard GooseEgg exploitationthreat actor
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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