Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a high-severity Microsoft Windows printer driver vulnerability. A low-privileged local attacker could potentially gain code execution through the PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver. For business risk, focus on patch coverage across affected Windows endpoints and servers, especially print-heavy systems.
Executive priority
High priority for routine vulnerability management. This is not currently supported as actively exploited in the supplied sources, but the impact is severe and the affected Windows footprint is broad. Patch exposed Windows estates promptly, starting with print infrastructure and legacy servers.
Technical view
CVE-2023-21801 affects Microsoft PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver across multiple Windows client and server versions. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Microsoft lists an official fix.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely where affected Windows versions remain unpatched, including Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2008 through 2022, and Server Core variants listed by Microsoft. Print servers, shared workstations, and systems with class printer driver usage deserve priority review.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. CVSS exploit maturity is unproven. Although Microsoft titles it remote code execution, the supplied CVSS vector indicates local access with low privileges and no user interaction.
Researcher notes
The source bundle does not include CWE, root-cause detail, workaround text, or exploit mechanics. Analysis should stay anchored to Microsoft’s advisory, the affected Windows list, and the CVSS vector. Avoid assuming network reachability from the RCE title because AV:L is supplied.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft security updates referenced by the MSRC advisory.
- Prioritize print servers and Windows systems with shared printer workflows.
- Confirm unsupported or legacy Windows Server systems receive applicable extended updates.
- Check Microsoft guidance for any version-specific remediation details.
- Monitor MSRC and CISA KEV for exploitation-status changes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows versions against Microsoft’s affected product list.
- Verify installed updates include the Microsoft fix for CVE-2023-21801.
- Identify systems using PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver.
- Prioritize validation on print servers and multi-user endpoints.
- Document exceptions where legacy systems cannot be patched promptly.
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-2023-21801 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:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Microsoft PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver Remote Code Execution VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory
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.