# CVE-2021-36934: Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-36934-microsoft-windows-sam-local-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-02-10. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-36934 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-02-10

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows due to overly permissive Access Control Lists (ACLs) on system files, including the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database. If a Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) is available, a local attacker can read the SAM file to obtain SYSTEM privileges. Full mitigation requires both installing security updates and manually deleting existing shadow copies.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-36934 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-36934 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 10 February 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-36934?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 10 February 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 20H2; Microsoft Windows 10 21H1; Microsoft Windows 10 1809.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-36934?** 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-2021-36934 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-36934?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 20H2
- Microsoft Windows 10 21H1
- Microsoft Windows 10 1809

## Timeline

- 2022-02-10: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-02-10: disclosed

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