Vulnerability identifier: #VU48427

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 6.5 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-8738

CWE-ID: CWE-264

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Core X-series Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon W Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon D Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E7 v4 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E5 v3 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E5 v4 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Atom Processor C3XXX
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Hardware solutions / Other hardware appliances

Vendor: Intel

Description

The vulnerability allows a local administrator to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper conditions check in Intel BIOS platform sample code, which leads to security restrictions bypass and privilege escalation.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors: All versions

Intel Core X-series Processors: All versions

Intel Xeon W Processors: All versions

Intel Xeon Scalable Processors: All versions

Intel Xeon D Processors: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E7 v4 Family: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E5 v3 Family: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E5 v4 Family: All versions

Intel Atom Processor C3XXX: All versions

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External links
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00390

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.