CVE-2026-20914: Denial of Service in Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows
Null pointer dereference for some Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows before version 2.6.0 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 (none), integrity (none) 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 involves a null pointer dereference in Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows prior to version 2.6.0, occurring in user-mode (Ring 3). An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can cause a denial of service condition by triggering this flaw. The attack does not require user interaction or special internal knowledge beyond authentication. The vulnerability affects availability only, with no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity. No official remediation level or patch information is provided in the available data.
Potential Impact
The primary impact is denial of service, which can disrupt the availability of systems running vulnerable Intel QAT software drivers on Windows. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits have been reported, so active exploitation is not confirmed.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a patch or official fix is available, limit access to systems running vulnerable versions to trusted users only, as the attack requires authenticated local access. Monitor vendor communications for updates on remediation.
CVE-2026-20914: Denial of Service in Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows
Description
Null pointer dereference for some Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows before version 2.6.0 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 (none), integrity (none) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
CVSS v4.0
Score 6.8medium
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 involves a null pointer dereference in Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows prior to version 2.6.0, occurring in user-mode (Ring 3). An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can cause a denial of service condition by triggering this flaw. The attack does not require user interaction or special internal knowledge beyond authentication. The vulnerability affects availability only, with no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity. No official remediation level or patch information is provided in the available data.
Potential Impact
The primary impact is denial of service, which can disrupt the availability of systems running vulnerable Intel QAT software drivers on Windows. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits have been reported, so active exploitation is not confirmed.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a patch or official fix is available, limit access to systems running vulnerable versions to trusted users only, as the attack requires authenticated local access. Monitor vendor communications for updates on remediation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- intel
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-04T04:00:32.755Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a03656fcbff5d861008daa9
Added to database: 05/12/2026, 17:37:51 UTC
Last enriched: 05/12/2026, 17:52:08 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:57 UTC
Views: 95
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