CVE-2020-8758
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows improper buffer restrictions in Intel AMT and ISM network subsystems, enabling unauthenticated attackers on provisioned systems to potentially escalate privileges via network access. On un-provisioned systems, authenticated local users may also achieve privilege escalation. Affects Intel AMT and ISM versions before specific security updates.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)
- Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
📦 What is this software?
Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Active Management Technology Firmware →
Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Active Management Technology Firmware →
Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Active Management Technology Firmware →
Active Management Technology Firmware by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Active Management Technology Firmware →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing attacker persistence, data theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive management functions and potential control of affected systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and access controls, potentially preventing exploitation entirely.
🎯 Exploit Status
Buffer restriction vulnerability suggests straightforward exploitation once details are known. No public exploit code identified in references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 11.8.79, 11.12.79, 11.22.79, 12.0.68, or 14.0.39 depending on product version
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00404.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify current Intel AMT/ISM version. 2. Download appropriate firmware update from Intel. 3. Apply firmware update following Intel's instructions. 4. Reboot system to complete installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate Intel AMT/ISM management interfaces from untrusted networks
Disable AMT/ISM if not needed
allTurn off Intel AMT/ISM functionality in BIOS/UEFI settings
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit access to AMT/ISM ports (16992-16995, 623, 664)
- Monitor for unusual network traffic to/from AMT/ISM interfaces and investigate anomalies
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel AMT/ISM firmware version in system BIOS/UEFI settings or using Intel Management Engine toolsCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic /namespace:\\root\Intel_ME_AMT path Intel_Manageability_Extension_Service get VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version is at or above the patched versions listed in the advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual authentication attempts to AMT/ISM interfaces
- Firmware modification events in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected traffic to AMT/ISM ports (16992-16995, 623, 664) from unauthorized sources
SIEM Query:
source_port IN (16992, 16993, 16994, 16995, 623, 664) AND NOT source_ip IN (allowed_management_ips)