CVE-2022-21999: Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2022-21999 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-25

Microsoft Windows Print Spooler contains an elevation of privilege vulnerability involving improper limitation of a pathname (path traversal) and improper link resolution (link following). An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain elevated system privileges.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2022-21999 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2022-21999 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 25 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2022-21999?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 25 March 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 10 up to (excluding) 10.0.19044.1526; Microsoft Windows 11 up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.493; Microsoft Windows Server 2022 up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.524; Microsoft Windows 7 SP1; and 5 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2022-21999?
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-2022-21999 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2022-21999?
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 up to (excluding) 10.0.19044.1526
  • Microsoft Windows 11 up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.493
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022 up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.524
  • Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.4946
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.2565

Timeline

  • 2022-03-25: disclosed
  • 2022-03-25: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

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