CVE-2020-12965Public exploit

Data leakage via non-canonical transient execution

Published Feb 4, 2022 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Transient execution in AMD CPUs allows attackers to leak data via non-canonical loads and stores in specific software sequences. The processor transiently applies only the lower 48 address bits, allowing non-canonical accesses to bypass canonicality checks and feed secret-dependent data into a covert channel. Exploitation requires a suitable disclosure gadget and a userland process on an affected CPU; the demonstrated outcome is local data disclosure without reported modification or service interruption.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability2.35%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Transient execution in AMD CPUs allows attackers to leak data via non-canonical loads and stores in specific software sequences. The processor transiently applies only the lower 48 address bits, allowing non-canonical accesses to bypass canonicality checks and feed secret-dependent data into a covert channel. Exploitation requires a suitable disclosure gadget and a userland process on an affected CPU; the demonstrated outcome is local data disclosure without reported modification or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12965
Published
Feb 4, 2022
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-74
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 4, 2022CVE 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 privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')

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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