How severe is CVE-2020-8744?

CVE-2020-8744 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-2020-8744 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8744?

CVE-2020-8744 primarily affects Intel Converged Security And Management Engine. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8744?

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-2020-8744 published?

CVE-2020-8744 was published on 2020-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-8744

CVE-2020-8744 is a high-severity vulnerability in Intel Converged Security And Management 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. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-665.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (28th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-665
Affected product: Intel Converged Security And Management Engine
Published: 2020-11-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Improper initialization in subsystem for Intel(R) CSME versions before12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45 and 14.5.25, Intel(R) TXE versions before 4.0.30 Intel(R) SPS versions before E3_05.01.04.200 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8744?: Improper initialization in subsystem for Intel(R) CSME versions before12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45 and 14.5.25, Intel(R) TXE versions before 4.0.30 Intel(R) SPS versions before E3_05.01.04.200 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
How severe is CVE-2020-8744?: CVE-2020-8744 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-2020-8744 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-8744?: CVE-2020-8744 primarily affects Intel Converged Security And Management Engine. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8744?: 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-2020-8744 published?: CVE-2020-8744 was published on 2020-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:a:intel:converged_security_and_management_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:intel:server_platform_services:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:intel:trusted_execution_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:simatic_s7-1518-4_pn\/dp_mfp_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:simatic_s7-1518f-4_pn\/dp_mfp_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:simatic_s7-1500_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Intel Converged Security And Management Engine

CVE-2019-0091 — High (CVSS 7.8): Code injection vulnerability in installer for Intel(R) CSME before versions 11.8.65, 11.11.65, 11.22.65, 12.0.35 and…
CVE-2019-0090 — High (CVSS 7.1): Insufficient access control vulnerability in subsystem for Intel(R) CSME before versions 11.x, 12.0.35 Intel(R) TXE…
CVE-2020-8755 — Medium (CVSS 6.4): Race condition in subsystem for Intel(R) CSME versions before 12.0.70 and 14.0.45, Intel(R) SPS versions before…
CVE-2019-0093 — Medium (CVSS 4.4): Insufficient data sanitization vulnerability in HECI subsystem for Intel(R) CSME before versions 11.8.65, 11.11.65,…

All CVEs affecting Intel Converged Security And Management Engine →

Other CWE-665 (Improper Initialization) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2021-41264 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for smart contract development. In affected versions upgradeable contracts using…
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CVE-2015-8367 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The phase_one_correct function in Libraw before 0.17.1 allows attackers to cause memory errors and possibly execute…
CVE-2019-14271 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Docker 19.03.x before 19.03.1 linked against the GNU C Library (aka glibc), code injection can occur when the…

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