How severe is CVE-2026-20789?

CVE-2026-20789 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-2026-20789 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.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-20789?

CVE-2026-20789 affects Intel Proset/wireless Wifi. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-20789?

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-2026-20789 published?

CVE-2026-20789 was published on 2026-08-11 and last updated on 2026-08-26.

CVE-2026-20789

CVE-2026-20789 is a high-severity vulnerability in Intel Proset/wireless Wifi 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-284.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v4: 8.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (1st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-284
Affected product: Intel Proset/wireless Wifi
Published: 2026-08-11
Last modified: 2026-08-26

Description

Improper access control for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows within Ring 2: Device Drivers may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an unauthenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable local code execution. 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 (low), integrity (low) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (high), integrity (low) and availability (low) impacts.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-20789?: Improper access control for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows within Ring 2: Device Drivers may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an unauthenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable local code execution. 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 (low), integrity (low) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (high), integrity (low) and availability (low) impacts.
How severe is CVE-2026-20789?: CVE-2026-20789 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-2026-20789 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.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-20789?: CVE-2026-20789 affects Intel Proset/wireless Wifi. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-20789?: 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-2026-20789 published?: CVE-2026-20789 was published on 2026-08-11 and last updated on 2026-08-26.

References

https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01422.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:intel:proset\/wireless_wifi:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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