CVE-2020-12890Public exploit

SMM code execution via unchecked destination pointer

Published Dec 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Arbitrary code execution in AMD AGESA on selected 2016–2019 client and embedded APUs allows local users to run code in SMM. SMI handler 0xEF passes attacker-controlled ArgsStruct pointers to SmmGetVariable without validating RSI, inner pointers, or the destination buffer, permitting an arbitrary write into SMRAM. Administrative or physical access is required; successful exploitation bypasses operating-system, kernel, hypervisor, and firmware security boundaries.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary code execution in AMD AGESA on selected 2016–2019 client and embedded APUs allows local users to run code in SMM. SMI handler 0xEF passes attacker-controlled ArgsStruct pointers to SmmGetVariable without validating RSI, inner pointers, or the destination buffer, permitting an arbitrary write into SMRAM. Administrative or physical access is required; successful exploitation bypasses operating-system, kernel, hypervisor, and firmware security boundaries.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12890
Published
Dec 10, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 10, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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