CVE-2026-20901: Escalation of Privilege in Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors within firmware may allow an escalation of privilege. Startup code and smm adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may enable data alteration. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (high) and availability (none) impacts.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves improper input validation in the firmware of certain Intel Xeon processors, which may permit escalation of privilege. An attacker with privileged local access and the ability to perform a complex attack could potentially alter system integrity. The attack does not require user interaction and does not affect confidentiality or availability. No vendor remediation or patch information is currently available, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on system integrity due to potential unauthorized data alteration. There is no impact on confidentiality or availability. The attack requires local privileged access and high complexity, limiting the likelihood of exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary mitigation has been documented at this time.
CVE-2026-20901: Escalation of Privilege in Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors
Description
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors within firmware may allow an escalation of privilege. Startup code and smm adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may enable data alteration. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (high) and availability (none) impacts.
CVSS v4.0
Score 4.0medium
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves improper input validation in the firmware of certain Intel Xeon processors, which may permit escalation of privilege. An attacker with privileged local access and the ability to perform a complex attack could potentially alter system integrity. The attack does not require user interaction and does not affect confidentiality or availability. No vendor remediation or patch information is currently available, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on system integrity due to potential unauthorized data alteration. There is no impact on confidentiality or availability. The attack requires local privileged access and high complexity, limiting the likelihood of exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary mitigation has been documented at this time.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- intel
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-09T04:00:18.785Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7b5eeabf8831d5391df90a
Added to database: 08/11/2026, 17:42:02 UTC
Last enriched: 08/11/2026, 17:57:12 UTC
Last updated: 08/12/2026, 01:30:52 UTC
Views: 7
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