How severe is CVE-2012-1851?

CVE-2012-1851 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2012-1851 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 66% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-1851?

CVE-2012-1851 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-1851?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2012-1851 published?

CVE-2012-1851 was published on 2012-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-1851

CVE-2012-1851 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 66% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-134.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 66% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-134
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2012-08-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Format string vulnerability in the Print Spooler service in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted response, aka "Print Spooler Service Format String Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-1851?: Format string vulnerability in the Print Spooler service in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted response, aka "Print Spooler Service Format String Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-1851?: CVE-2012-1851 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2012-1851 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 66% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-1851?: CVE-2012-1851 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-1851?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2012-1851 published?: CVE-2012-1851 was published on 2012-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:r2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:r2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*

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