How severe is CVE-2020-14979?

CVE-2020-14979 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-2020-14979 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-14979?

CVE-2020-14979 primarily affects Evga Precision X1. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-14979?

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-2020-14979 published?

CVE-2020-14979 was published on 2020-08-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-14979

CVE-2020-14979 is a high-severity vulnerability in Evga Precision X1 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: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (45th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Evga Precision X1
Published: 2020-08-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The WinRing0.sys and WinRing0x64.sys drivers 1.2.0 in EVGA Precision X1 through 1.0.6 allow local users, including low integrity processes, to read and write to arbitrary memory locations. This allows any user to gain NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges by mapping \Device\PhysicalMemory into the calling process.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-14979?: The WinRing0.sys and WinRing0x64.sys drivers 1.2.0 in EVGA Precision X1 through 1.0.6 allow local users, including low integrity processes, to read and write to arbitrary memory locations. This allows any user to gain NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges by mapping \Device\PhysicalMemory into the calling process.
How severe is CVE-2020-14979?: CVE-2020-14979 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-2020-14979 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-14979?: CVE-2020-14979 primarily affects Evga Precision X1. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-14979?: 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-2020-14979 published?: CVE-2020-14979 was published on 2020-08-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:evga:precision_x1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:winring0_project:winring0:1.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*