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.
History

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Intel
Intel intel Processors
Vendors & Products Intel
Intel intel Processors

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Firmware Input Validation Flaw Allows Privilege Escalation on Xeon Processors

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Weaknesses CWE-20
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 4, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:H/SA:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: intel

Published: 2026-08-11T17:30:33.595Z

Updated: 2026-08-12T14:48:36.488Z

Reserved: 2025-12-09T04:00:18.785Z

Link: CVE-2026-20901

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-11T18:52:19.771Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-08-11T18:17:24.593

Modified: 2026-08-12T20:54:11.500

Link: CVE-2026-20901

cve-icon Redhat

No data.