CVE-2020-12902
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in AMD Graphics Driver for Windows 10 allows attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting an arbitrary decrement flaw. Attackers could gain SYSTEM-level access or cause denial of service. Only Windows 10 systems with affected AMD graphics drivers are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- AMD Graphics Driver
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full SYSTEM privilege escalation allowing complete system compromise, installation of persistent malware, or disabling of security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from standard user to administrator/SYSTEM level, enabling lateral movement or credential theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper endpoint protection, least privilege, and driver signature enforcement are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and some technical knowledge. No public exploit code known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Driver version with fix included in AMD Security Bulletin SB-1000
Vendor Advisory: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-1000
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit AMD Driver Support page. 2. Identify your graphics hardware. 3. Download latest driver. 4. Run installer. 5. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
windowsLimit physical and remote local access to vulnerable systems
Enable driver signature enforcement
windowsEnsure Windows requires signed drivers to prevent unauthorized driver loading
bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off
bcdedit /set testsigning off
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege - ensure users run with minimal necessary permissions
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check AMD driver version in Device Manager > Display adapters > Properties > Driver tabCheck Version:
wmic path win32_pnpsigneddriver where "DeviceName like '%AMD%'" get DeviceName, DriverVersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version matches or exceeds patched version from AMD advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs: Privilege escalation events, driver loading failures
- AMD driver crash logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections post-local access
- Lateral movement attempts
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%amd%' AND NewProcessName='cmd.exe' OR 'powershell.exe'