CVE-2020-12951 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A race condition in ASP firmware could allow less privileged x86 code to perform ASP SMM (System Management Mode) operations.

Understanding CVE-2020-12951

This CVE involves a vulnerability in AMD's Ryzen™ Series and Athlon™ Series processors.

What is CVE-2020-12951?

The CVE-2020-12951 vulnerability is a race condition in ASP firmware that enables less privileged x86 code to execute ASP SMM operations.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12951

This vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges and execute unauthorized operations on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12951

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a race condition in ASP firmware, enabling unauthorized x86 code to perform ASP SMM operations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Products: Ryzen™ Series, Athlon™ Series
Vendor: AMD
Affected Versions: Various

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows less privileged x86 code to exploit ASP SMM operations, potentially leading to unauthorized system access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-12951 is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by AMD promptly.
Monitor AMD's security bulletins for any further instructions or updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access controls and privilege management on systems.
Regularly update firmware and software to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from AMD and apply patches as soon as they are released.