CVE-2025-20028

CVE-2025-20028 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.1. 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-367.

Key facts

Description

Time-of-check time-of-use race condition in the WheaERST SMM module for some Intel(R) reference platforms may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-20028?
Time-of-check time-of-use race condition in the WheaERST SMM module for some Intel(R) reference platforms may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
How severe is CVE-2025-20028?
CVE-2025-20028 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.1, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2025-20028 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (1st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2025-20028?
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.
Does CVE-2025-20028 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2025-20028 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-208546.
When was CVE-2025-20028 published?
CVE-2025-20028 was published on 2026-03-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Other CWE-367 (Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition) vulnerabilities

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