CVE-2026-20905: Denial of Service in Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows before version 2.6 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow a denial of service. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable denial of service. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are not present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (low), integrity (low) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability affects Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows prior to version 2.6 and is caused by improper input validation within user-mode (Ring 3) components. An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can exploit this flaw to cause a denial of service condition. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, reflecting a medium severity with local attack vector, low attack complexity, no user interaction, and partial impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and high impact on availability. The vulnerability does not require special internal knowledge and can be triggered without user interaction. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows a local, authenticated, low-privileged user to cause a denial of service in affected Intel QAT software drivers, impacting system availability. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low and are not expected to result in further compromise. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit access to systems running vulnerable versions of Intel QAT software drivers to trusted users only. Monitor vendor communications for updates regarding patches or mitigations.
CVE-2026-20905: Denial of Service in Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows
Description
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows before version 2.6 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow a denial of service. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable denial of service. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are not present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (low), integrity (low) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
CVSS v4.0
Score 6.9medium
Affected software
pkg:github/intel/qat-driver-windowsRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability affects Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows prior to version 2.6 and is caused by improper input validation within user-mode (Ring 3) components. An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can exploit this flaw to cause a denial of service condition. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, reflecting a medium severity with local attack vector, low attack complexity, no user interaction, and partial impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and high impact on availability. The vulnerability does not require special internal knowledge and can be triggered without user interaction. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows a local, authenticated, low-privileged user to cause a denial of service in affected Intel QAT software drivers, impacting system availability. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low and are not expected to result in further compromise. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit access to systems running vulnerable versions of Intel QAT software drivers to trusted users only. Monitor vendor communications for updates regarding patches or mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- intel
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-04T04:00:32.867Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a03656fcbff5d861008daa6
Added to database: 05/12/2026, 17:37:51 UTC
Last enriched: 05/12/2026, 17:52:13 UTC
Last updated: 07/03/2026, 08:51:23 UTC
Views: 86
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