CVE-2020-8744 – This vulnerability allows a privileged user wit... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-8744?

CVE-2020-8744 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows a privileged user with local access to potentially escalate privileges on affected Intel systems due to improper initialization in the Converged Security and Manageability Engine (CSME), Trusted Execution Engine (TXE), and Server Platform Services (SPS). It affects systems with specific vulnerable firmware versions before the patched releases. Attackers could gain higher privileges than intended on the local system.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows a privileged user with local access to potentially escalate privileges on affected Intel systems due to improper initialization in the Converged Security and Manageability Engine (CSME), Trusted Execution Engine (TXE), and Server Platform Services (SPS). It affects systems with specific vulnerable firmware versions before the patched releases. Attackers could gain higher privileges than intended on the local system.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Intel CSME
Intel TXE
Intel SPS

Versions: CSME before 12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45, 14.5.25; TXE before 4.0.30; SPS before E3_05.01.04.200

Operating Systems: All operating systems running on affected Intel hardware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects the firmware/management engine, not the operating system. Requires physical or local access to the system.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

A privileged attacker could achieve full system compromise, bypass security controls, install persistent malware, or access protected data and credentials.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain administrative/system-level access on compromised machines.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper access controls, but still allows privilege escalation within the compromised system.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to the system, not directly exploitable over the network.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Local attackers or malware with initial access can escalate privileges to gain full control of affected systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and privileged user credentials. Exploitation details not publicly documented.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: CSME 12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45, 14.5.25; TXE 4.0.30; SPS E3_05.01.04.200

Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check current firmware version using manufacturer tools. 2. Download firmware update from Intel or OEM vendor. 3. Apply firmware update following manufacturer instructions. 4. Reboot system to complete installation.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical access to affected systems
Implement strict access controls and privilege separation to limit initial compromise

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check firmware version using Intel System Support Utility, OEM vendor tools, or BIOS/UEFI settings.

Check Version:

Windows: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion; Linux: dmidecode -t bios

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version matches or exceeds patched versions after update.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual firmware access attempts
Privilege escalation events
Unexpected system reboots for firmware updates

Network Indicators:

No network-based indicators as this is a local exploit

SIEM Query:

EventID=6008 (Unexpected shutdown) OR suspicious local privilege escalation patterns

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-8744

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-665

Published: November 12, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-501073.pdf Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0002/ Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0004/ Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0005/ Third Party Advisory
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391 Vendor Advisory
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-501073.pdf Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0002/ Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0004/ Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0005/ Third Party Advisory
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2020-8744, you might also want to check these:

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Converged Security And Management Engine by Intel

Converged Security And Management Engine by Intel

Converged Security And Management Engine by Intel

Converged Security And Management Engine by Intel

Converged Security And Management Engine by Intel

Server Platform Services by Intel

Simatic S7 1500 Firmware by Siemens

Simatic S7 1518 4 Pn\/dp Mfp Firmware by Siemens

Simatic S7 1518f 4 Pn\/dp Mfp Firmware by Siemens

Trusted Execution Engine by Intel

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

Worst Case

Likely Case

If Mitigated

🎯 Exploit Status

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Instructions:

🧯 If You Can't Patch

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Version:

Verify Fix Applied:

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Network Indicators:

SIEM Query:

📊 Metadata

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities