CVE-2026-20738
CVE-2026-20738 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.5. 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-822.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 4.0 base score 8.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (2nd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-29522
- Weakness: CWE-822
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Untrusted pointer dereference for some Intel(R) QuickAssist Adapter 8960 software before version 1.13 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are not 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-2026-20738?
- Untrusted pointer dereference for some Intel(R) QuickAssist Adapter 8960 software before version 1.13 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are not 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-2026-20738?
- CVE-2026-20738 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.5, rated high severity.
- Is CVE-2026-20738 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (2nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-20738?
- 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-2026-20738 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-20738 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-29522.
- When was CVE-2026-20738 published?
- CVE-2026-20738 was published on 2026-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
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