PatchTheCVECVE-2021-42285: Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
44
This month
HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2021-42285 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting windows 10, windows 11, windows 7. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Why this priority
- High severity
- On your watchlist
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | Low |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.6% (top 54%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-269 |
| Published | 2021-11-10 |
| Last modified | 2026-08-19 |
Publisher (CNA): Microsoft Corporation · Vendor: microsoft
Last updated 2026-08-19 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
microsoft windows 10 MITIGATE
Affected: all versions · 20h2 · 21h1 · 1607 · 1809 · 1909 · 2004
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20h2
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows 11 MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows 7 MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows 8.1 MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows rt 8.1 MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows server MITIGATE
Affected: 20h2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20h2
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2021-42285?
windows 10: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; windows 11: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; windows 7: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2021-42285 being exploited?
CVE-2021-42285 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2021-42285 affect?
CVE-2021-42285 affects windows 10, windows 11, windows 7. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
How urgent is CVE-2021-42285?
Priority 44/100. High severity; On your watchlist
Software pages
Windows vulnerabilities · Windows Server vulnerabilities
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