CVE-2020-8752 – This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated at... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-8752?

CVE-2020-8752 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to write data outside intended memory boundaries in the IPv6 subsystem of Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) and Intel Standard Manageability (ISM). Successful exploitation could enable privilege escalation via network access. Systems with vulnerable Intel AMT/ISM firmware versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to write data outside intended memory boundaries in the IPv6 subsystem of Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) and Intel Standard Manageability (ISM). Successful exploitation could enable privilege escalation via network access. Systems with vulnerable Intel AMT/ISM firmware versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)
Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Versions: Versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 14.0.45

Operating Systems: All operating systems with vulnerable Intel AMT/ISM firmware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects Intel vPro platforms with AMT/ISM enabled. Requires IPv6 connectivity to the management interface.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An unauthenticated remote attacker gains full administrative control over the Intel Management Engine, potentially compromising the entire system and network.

🟠

Likely Case

Remote code execution with SYSTEM/root privileges on affected systems, leading to complete host compromise.

🟢

If Mitigated

If network segmentation and access controls are properly implemented, exploitation would be limited to authorized management networks only.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

CVSS 9.8 indicates critical severity with network attack vector and no authentication required.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 14.0.45 or later

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

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download firmware update from Intel or OEM vendor. 2. Apply firmware update through management console or local update utility. 3. Reboot system to complete installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable IPv6 on Management Interface

all

Disable IPv6 protocol on Intel AMT/ISM management interfaces to block attack vector

Configure via Intel Management Engine BIOS Extension (MEBx) or management console

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate Intel AMT/ISM management traffic to dedicated VLAN with strict access controls

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network access controls to limit access to Intel AMT/ISM interfaces (ports 16992-16995, 623, 664)
Disable Intel AMT/ISM entirely in BIOS/UEFI settings if not required

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Intel ME/AMT firmware version via: 1. Intel MEInfo tool (meinfo -fwver) 2. BIOS/UEFI settings 3. Management console

Check Version:

meinfo -fwver (requires Intel ME System Tools)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version is at or above patched versions: 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, or 14.0.45

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual connections to Intel AMT ports (16992-16995)
ME/AMT firmware crash logs
Unexpected system reboots

Network Indicators:

Malformed IPv6 packets to management ports
Traffic to AMT interfaces from unauthorized sources

SIEM Query:

source_port IN (16992,16993,16994,16995,623,664) AND (protocol="tcp" OR protocol="udp") AND src_ip NOT IN (allowed_management_ips)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-8752

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

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

CWE: CWE-787

Published: November 12, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0003/ Third Party Advisory
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391 Vendor Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0003/ 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

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📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel

Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel

Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel

Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel

Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel

Cloud Backup by Netapp

Standard Manageability by Intel

Standard Manageability by Intel

Standard Manageability by Intel

Standard Manageability by Intel

Standard Manageability by Intel

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

Worst Case

Likely Case

If Mitigated

🎯 Exploit Status

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Instructions:

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable IPv6 on Management Interface

Network Segmentation

🧯 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