How severe is CVE-2020-12297?

CVE-2020-12297 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-12297 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-12297?

CVE-2020-12297 primarily affects Intel Converged Security And Manageability Engine. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-12297?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-12297 published?

CVE-2020-12297 was published on 2020-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-12297

CVE-2020-12297 is a high-severity vulnerability in Intel Converged Security And Manageability Engine with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (36th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Intel Converged Security And Manageability Engine
Published: 2020-11-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Improper access control in Installer for Intel(R) CSME Driver for Windows versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45 and 14.5.25, Intel TXE 3.1.80, 4.0.30 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privileges via local access.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-12297?: Improper access control in Installer for Intel(R) CSME Driver for Windows versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45 and 14.5.25, Intel TXE 3.1.80, 4.0.30 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privileges via local access.
How severe is CVE-2020-12297?: CVE-2020-12297 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-12297 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-12297?: CVE-2020-12297 primarily affects Intel Converged Security And Manageability Engine. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-12297?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-12297 published?: CVE-2020-12297 was published on 2020-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:intel:converged_security_and_manageability_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:intel:trusted_execution_technology:3.1.80:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:intel:trusted_execution_technology:4.0.30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Intel Converged Security And Manageability Engine

CVE-2020-12303 — High (CVSS 7.8): Use after free in DAL subsystem for Intel(R) CSME versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 13.0.40,…
CVE-2020-24516 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): Modification of assumed-immutable data in subsystem in Intel(R) CSME versions before 13.0.47, 13.30.17, 14.1.53,…
CVE-2020-8745 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): Insufficient control flow management in subsystem for Intel(R) CSME versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80,…
CVE-2020-8705 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): Insecure default initialization of resource in Intel(R) Boot Guard in Intel(R) CSME versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80,…
CVE-2020-8703 — Medium (CVSS 6.7): Improper buffer restrictions in a subsystem in the Intel(R) CSME versions before 11.8.86, 11.12.86, 11.22.86, 12.0.81,…
CVE-2020-8756 — Medium (CVSS 6.7): Improper input validation in subsystem for Intel(R) CSME versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70 and…

All CVEs affecting Intel Converged Security And Manageability Engine →