Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-31945 is a Microsoft Paint 3D remote code execution vulnerability. The source data rates it high because successful exploitation could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It requires user interaction, so risk is highest on endpoints where users may open untrusted Paint 3D content.
Executive priority
Handle through normal high-severity endpoint patch governance. It is not presented as actively exploited in the supplied sources, but potential full system impact and user-facing exposure justify prompt remediation tracking.
Technical view
The provided CVSS 3.1 vector is 7.8 high: AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The affected product listed is Microsoft Paint 3D version 6.0.0. The vector indicates low complexity, no privileges required, required user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact across CIA.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to environments with Microsoft Paint 3D 6.0.0 present. Because user interaction is required and the attack vector is local in the CVSS data, focus validation on managed Windows endpoints and user-facing workstations rather than internet-facing services.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS exploit-code maturity value is unproven. Treat this as a serious endpoint risk, but do not assume known in-the-wild exploitation from the supplied evidence.
Researcher notes
The evidence is sparse: title, CVSS, affected product/version, MSRC, ZDI reference, and KEV=false. Do not expand affected versions beyond Paint 3D 6.0.0 from the bundle. The local attack vector and user interaction requirement should shape validation and prioritization.
Mitigation direction
- Review Microsoft MSRC guidance for CVE-2021-31945 and apply the official vendor update where applicable.
- Inventory endpoints for Microsoft Paint 3D 6.0.0 installations.
- Prioritize patching on user workstations that handle untrusted files or external content.
- If patching is delayed, reduce exposure by limiting use of affected Paint 3D installations.
- Monitor vendor advisories for any updated remediation or exploitation guidance.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Microsoft Paint 3D 6.0.0 is installed on managed endpoints.
- Verify patch or app update status against Microsoft guidance for CVE-2021-31945.
- Check vulnerability management tooling for CVE-2021-31945 detections and stale findings.
- Confirm user-facing systems are included in endpoint patch compliance reporting.
- Review security telemetry for suspicious Paint 3D process activity, without assuming exploitation.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-31945 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-31945CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-667/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.