---
id: CVE-2021-36948
title: Windows Update Medic Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
summary: Windows Update Medic Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
severity: high
cvss: 7.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
vendor: microsoft
product: windows_10_1809
affected:
  - windows_10_1809 < 10.0.17763.2114
  - windows_10_1909 < 10.0.18363.1734
  - windows_10_2004 < 10.0.19041.1165
  - windows_10_20h2 < 10.0.19042.1165
  - windows_10_21h1 < 10.0.19043.1165
  - windows_server_2004 < 10.0.19041.1165
  - windows_server_2019 < 10.0.17763.2114
  - windows_server_20h2 < 10.0.19042.1165
patched:
  - windows_10_1809 10.0.17763.2114
  - windows_10_1909 10.0.18363.1734
  - windows_10_2004 10.0.19041.1165
  - windows_10_20h2 10.0.19042.1165
  - windows_10_21h1 10.0.19043.1165
  - windows_server_2004 10.0.19041.1165
  - windows_server_2019 10.0.17763.2114
  - windows_server_20h2 10.0.19042.1165
published: '2021-08-12'
updated: '2026-08-10'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-36948'
references:
  - url: 'https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-36948'
    label: secure@microsoft.com
  - url: >-
      https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-36948
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-36948
    label: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
tags:
  - nvd
  - kev
  - in-the-wild
epss: 0.2327
epssPercentile: 0.97702
kev: true
kevDateAdded: '2021-11-03'
kevDueDate: '2021-11-17'
kevRansomware: false
exploited: true
zeroDay: true
ingestedAt: '2026-08-11T16:47:01.175Z'
---

## Overview

Windows Update Medic Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

## Affected

- `windows_10_1809 < 10.0.17763.2114`
- `windows_10_1909 < 10.0.18363.1734`
- `windows_10_2004 < 10.0.19041.1165`
- `windows_10_20h2 < 10.0.19042.1165`
- `windows_10_21h1 < 10.0.19043.1165`
- `windows_server_2004 < 10.0.19041.1165`
- `windows_server_2019 < 10.0.17763.2114`
- `windows_server_20h2 < 10.0.19042.1165`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `windows_10_1809 10.0.17763.2114`
- `windows_10_1909 10.0.18363.1734`
- `windows_10_2004 10.0.19041.1165`
- `windows_10_20h2 10.0.19042.1165`
- `windows_10_21h1 10.0.19043.1165`
- `windows_server_2004 10.0.19041.1165`
- `windows_server_2019 10.0.17763.2114`
- `windows_server_20h2 10.0.19042.1165`