CVE-2020-8720 : What You Need to Know

A buffer overflow vulnerability in a subsystem of certain Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules before version 1.59 could allow a privileged user to trigger a denial of service attack through local access.

Understanding CVE-2020-8720

This CVE involves a buffer overflow issue in specific Intel server hardware that could be exploited by a privileged user to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2020-8720?

The vulnerability in Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules before version 1.59 could be abused by a privileged user to potentially enable a denial of service attack via local access.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8720

The vulnerability could lead to a denial of service condition, impacting the availability of the affected systems and potentially disrupting critical operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8720

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

A buffer overflow in a subsystem of Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules before version 1.59 may allow a privileged user to exploit the issue and trigger a denial of service attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules Advisory
Versions Affected: Before version 1.59

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a privileged user with local access to the affected systems, potentially leading to a denial of service scenario.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-8720 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Intel promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict and monitor privileged user access to critical systems.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware on Intel server hardware.
Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of potential threats and best practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules are updated to version 1.59 or later to address the buffer overflow vulnerability.