---
id: "CVE-2022-38028"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2022-38028"]
title: "Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Windows", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1507", "fixed": ["10.0.10240.19507"], "affected": "< 10.0.10240.19507", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1607", "fixed": ["10.0.14393.5427"], "affected": "< 10.0.14393.5427", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1809", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.3532"], "affected": "< 10.0.17763.3532", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 20h2", "fixed": ["10.0.19042.2130"], "affected": "< 10.0.19042.2130", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 21h1", "fixed": ["10.0.19043.2130"], "affected": "< 10.0.19043.2130", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 21h2", "fixed": ["10.0.19044.2130"], "affected": "< 10.0.19044.2130", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 11 22h2", "fixed": ["10.0.22621.674"], "affected": "< 10.0.22621.674", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 8.1", "fixed": ["6.3.9600.20625"], "affected": "< 6.3.9600.20625", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows rt 8.1", "fixed": ["6.3.9600.20625"], "affected": "< 6.3.9600.20625", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2012", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2012", "fixed": [], "affected": "= r2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2016", "fixed": ["10.0.14393.5427"], "affected": "< 10.0.14393.5427", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2019", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.3532"], "affected": "< 10.0.17763.3532", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2022", "fixed": ["10.0.20348.1129"], "affected": "< 10.0.20348.1129", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "print-spooler", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["print-spooler-disabled"]
published_at: "2022-10-11T19:15:15+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2022-38028", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-38028", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00"}]
---

# Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

The Windows Print Spooler service has a privilege escalation flaw that lets a local user modify a JavaScript constraints file and have it executed with SYSTEM permissions. An attacker with a foothold on a Windows machine gets full control of that machine.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Windows affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1507 affected < 10.0.10240.19507 fixed 10.0.10240.19507
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1607 affected < 10.0.14393.5427 fixed 10.0.14393.5427
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1809 affected < 10.0.17763.3532 fixed 10.0.17763.3532
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 20h2 affected < 10.0.19042.2130 fixed 10.0.19042.2130
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 21h1 affected < 10.0.19043.2130 fixed 10.0.19043.2130
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 21h2 affected < 10.0.19044.2130 fixed 10.0.19044.2130
- vendor:microsoft windows 11 22h2 affected < 10.0.22621.674 fixed 10.0.22621.674
- vendor:microsoft windows 8.1 affected < 6.3.9600.20625 fixed 6.3.9600.20625
- vendor:microsoft windows rt 8.1 affected < 6.3.9600.20625 fixed 6.3.9600.20625
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2012 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2012 affected = r2 fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2016 affected < 10.0.14393.5427 fixed 10.0.14393.5427
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2019 affected < 10.0.17763.3532 fixed 10.0.17763.3532
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2022 affected < 10.0.20348.1129 fixed 10.0.20348.1129

## Fix

Apply the Microsoft update for CVE-2022-38028 or follow the vendor mitigation; CISA says to apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use if none are available.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2022-38028
- 2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-38028

## From the sources

Microsoft Windows Print Spooler service contains a privilege escalation vulnerability. An attacker may modify a JavaScript constraints file and execute it with SYSTEM-level permissions.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_