How severe is CVE-2020-8539?

CVE-2020-8539 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-2020-8539 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8539?

CVE-2020-8539 primarily affects Kia Head Unit Firmware. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8539?

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-2020-8539 published?

CVE-2020-8539 was published on 2020-12-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-8539

CVE-2020-8539 is a high-severity vulnerability in Kia Head Unit Firmware 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. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-276.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-276
Affected product: Kia Head Unit Firmware
Published: 2020-12-01
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Kia Motors Head Unit with Software version: SOP.003.30.18.0703, SOP.005.7.181019, and SOP.007.1.191209 may allow an attacker to inject unauthorized commands, by executing the micomd executable deamon, to trigger unintended functionalities. In addition, this executable may be used by an attacker to inject commands to generate CAN frames that are sent into the M-CAN bus (Multimedia CAN bus) of the vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8539?: Kia Motors Head Unit with Software version: SOP.003.30.18.0703, SOP.005.7.181019, and SOP.007.1.191209 may allow an attacker to inject unauthorized commands, by executing the micomd executable deamon, to trigger unintended functionalities. In addition, this executable may be used by an attacker to inject commands to generate CAN frames that are sent into the M-CAN bus (Multimedia CAN bus) of the vehicle.
How severe is CVE-2020-8539?: CVE-2020-8539 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-2020-8539 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-8539?: CVE-2020-8539 primarily affects Kia Head Unit Firmware. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8539?: 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-2020-8539 published?: CVE-2020-8539 was published on 2020-12-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:o:kia:head_unit_firmware:sop.003.30.18.0703:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:kia:head_unit_firmware:sop.005.7.181019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:kia:head_unit_firmware:sop.007.1.191209:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Other CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) vulnerabilities

CVE-2022-42150 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): TinyLab linux-lab v1.1-rc1 and cloud-labv0.8-rc2, v1.1-rc1 are vulnerable to insecure permissions. The default…
CVE-2020-29492 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell Wyse ThinOS 8.6 and prior versions contain an insecure default configuration vulnerability. A remote…
CVE-2020-29491 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell Wyse ThinOS 8.6 and prior versions contain an insecure default configuration vulnerability. A remote…
CVE-2025-40585 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A vulnerability has been identified in Energy Services (All versions with G5DFR). Affected solutions using G5DFR…
CVE-2019-19896 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): In IXP EasyInstall 6.2.13723, there is Remote Code Execution via weak permissions on the Engine Service share. The…
CVE-2020-37129 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Memu Play 7.1.3 contains an insecure folder permissions vulnerability that allows low-privileged users to modify the…

Browse all CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) vulnerabilities →