OMENWAVE modelled vulnerability-chaining pathways

CVE-2021-34527

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. UPDATE July 7, 2021: The security update for Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10, Version 1607 have been released. Please see the Security Updates table for the applicable update for your system. We recommend that you install these updates immediately. If you are unable to install these updates, see the FAQ and Workaround sections in this CVE for information on how to help protect your system from this vulnerability. In addition to installing the updates, in order to secure your system, you must confirm that the following registry settings are set to 0 (zero) or are not defined (Note: These registry keys do not exist by default, and therefore are already at the secure setting.), also that your Group Policy setting are correct (see FAQ): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall = 0 (DWORD) or not defined (default setting) UpdatePromptSettings = 0 (DWORD) or not defined (default setting) Having NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall set to 1 makes your system vulnerable by design. UPDATE July 6, 2021: Microsoft has completed the investigation and has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Please see the Security Updates table for the applicable update for your system. We recommend that you install these updates immediately. If you are unable to install these updates, see the FAQ and Workaround sections in this CVE for information on how to help protect your system from this vulnerability. See also KB5005010: Restricting installation of new printer drivers after applying the July 6, 2021 updates. Note that the security updates released on and after July 6, 2021 contain protections for CVE-2021-1675 and the additional remote code execution exploit in the Windows Print Spooler service known as “PrintNightmare”, documented in CVE-2021-34527.

8.8
CVSS High
99.8%
EPSS p100
YES
In CISA KEV
YES
Ransomware-linked

Data as of 2 Nov 2026 · NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS

Why chaining, at machine speed

Defenders still triage vulnerabilities one CVE at a time, while increasingly automated attackers combine them at machine speed. Omenwave models the plausible pathways by which this CVE could be chained with others — surfacing them for research and awareness, with evidence for each step.

Modelled capability profile
Kill-chain stage
EXECUTION
Requires
USER access, NETWORK vector
Grants
USER access
Capabilities
code execution
Model confidence
medium · CVSS 3.1
Top plausible next hops
CVE-2017-0144EXECUTION → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

The SMBv1 server in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1; Windows 7 SP1; Windows 8.1; Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2; Win…

CVE-2017-0199EXECUTION → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The source lands the attacker on the host (code execution or an established foothold), which satisfies the destination's requirement for local access.

Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Microsoft Office 2013 SP1, Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2…

CVE-2022-30190EXECUTION → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The source lands the attacker on the host (code execution or an established foothold), which satisfies the destination's requirement for local access.

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when MSDT is called using the URL protocol from a calling application such as Word. An attacker who succ…

CVE-2017-0143EXECUTION → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

The SMBv1 server in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1; Windows 7 SP1; Windows 8.1; Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2; Win…

CVE-2020-1147EXECUTION → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The source lands the attacker on the host (code execution or an established foothold), which satisfies the destination's requirement for local access.

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in .NET Framework, Microsoft SharePoint, and Visual Studio when the software fails to check the source m…

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Modelled plausible chaining potential derived from public CVE metadata (CVSS, CWE, CPE). Not a confirmed real-world exploit chain and contains no exploitation detail. For research and awareness only.

Methodology · Interactive explorer · JSON: /cve/CVE-2021-34527