CVE-2020-12931

Privilege escalation via improper kernel parameter handling

Published Nov 9, 2022 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Improper parameter handling in the AMD Secure Processor kernel allows local users with privileges to elevate privileges on embedded Ryzen systems. AMD has not disclosed which PSP-kernel parameters are mishandled or the incorrect validation or operation applied to them. Existing privileged local access is required, and successful exploitation compromises platform integrity by granting higher privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper parameter handling in the AMD Secure Processor kernel allows local users with privileges to elevate privileges on embedded Ryzen systems. AMD has not disclosed which PSP-kernel parameters are mishandled or the incorrect validation or operation applied to them. Existing privileged local access is required, and successful exploitation compromises platform integrity by granting higher privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12931
Published
Nov 9, 2022
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
AMD
Product
AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 Series
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 9, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=various

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

AMD · AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 Seriesversion=various
AMD · AMD Ryzen Embedded R2000 Seriesversion=various
AMD · AMD Ryzen Embedded 5000 Seriesversion=various
AMD · AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 Seriesversion=various

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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