CVE-2020-12893
📋 TL;DR
A stack buffer overflow vulnerability in AMD Graphics Driver for Windows 10 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This affects Windows 10 systems with vulnerable AMD graphics drivers installed. Successful exploitation could lead to system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- AMD Graphics Driver for Windows 10
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with kernel-level privileges, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and disabling of security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from a standard user account to SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling further attacks on the compromised system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper endpoint protection and exploit mitigation controls are in place, potentially causing only denial of service.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of the specific driver escape mechanism. No public exploit code is known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check AMD driver updates for specific version
Vendor Advisory: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-1000
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit AMD driver download page. 2. Download latest graphics driver for your hardware. 3. Run installer. 4. Restart system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable driver escape
windowsPotentially block the specific escape call 0x15002a through driver configuration or security software
Restrict local access
allImplement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to vulnerable systems
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check AMD driver version in Device Manager > Display adapters > AMD device > Driver tabCheck Version:
wmic path win32_pnpsigneddriver where "DeviceName like '%AMD%'" get DeviceName, DriverVersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version matches or exceeds patched version listed in AMD security bulletin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual driver calls or escape sequences in system logs
- Privilege escalation events in security logs
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName contains 'amd' OR CommandLine contains '0x15002a')