# CVE-2021-31201: Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-31201-microsoft-enhanced-cryptographic-provider-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-31201 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider contains an elevation of privilege vulnerability that allows a local attacker to gain elevated permissions. The vulnerability has been observed being exploited in the wild and is tracked in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-31201 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-31201 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-31201?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1809, 1909, 2004, 20H2, 21H1; Microsoft Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2004, 20H2; Microsoft Windows 7 SP1; Microsoft Windows 8.1 -; and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-31201?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2021-31201 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-31201?** Check whether you run Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1809, 1909, 2004, 20H2, 21H1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2004, 20H2
- Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 -
- Microsoft Windows RT 8.1 -

## Timeline

- 2021-06-08: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2021-11-03: kev added: Date added to CISA KEV catalog
- 2021-11-03: exploited: Reported exploited in the wild

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-31199-microsoft-enhanced-cryptographic-provider-privilege-escalation)