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

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-21999-microsoft-windows-print-spooler-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-25. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/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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