CVE-2020-8508Public exploit

Local kernel execution via unchecked function pointer

Published Feb 3, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Privilege escalation in Norman Malware Cleaner 2.08.08 allows local users to execute arbitrary functions in the Windows kernel. The nsak64.sys driver accepts a function pointer from user mode and invokes the supplied kernel address without restricting it to a trusted target. An unprivileged local process can reach the driver interface, so successful exploitation crosses the user-to-kernel boundary and grants kernel-mode code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.72%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Privilege escalation in Norman Malware Cleaner 2.08.08 allows local users to execute arbitrary functions in the Windows kernel. The nsak64.sys driver accepts a function pointer from user mode and invokes the supplied kernel address without restricting it to a trusted target. An unprivileged local process can reach the driver interface, so successful exploitation crosses the user-to-kernel boundary and grants kernel-mode code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-8508
Published
Feb 3, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 3, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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 privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
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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