How severe is CVE-2022-21997?

CVE-2022-21997 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-21997 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-21997?

CVE-2022-21997 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 35 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-21997?

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

When was CVE-2022-21997 published?

CVE-2022-21997 was published on 2022-02-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2022-21997

CVE-2022-21997 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.1)
CVSS v2: 3.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (52nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2022-02-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-21997?: Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
How severe is CVE-2022-21997?: CVE-2022-21997 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2022-21997 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2022-21997?: CVE-2022-21997 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 35 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2022-21997?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2022-21997 published?: CVE-2022-21997 was published on 2022-02-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-21997

Affected products (35)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h2:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h2:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:-:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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