Intel Xeon Processor Firmware Alias Checking Trusted access control

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Intel Xeon Processor Firmware. It has been classified as problematic. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Alias Checking Trusted Module. Performing a manipulation results in access control. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-20898. The attack must be initiated from a local position. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Intel Xeon Processor Firmware (unknown version). This affects an unknown code block of the component Alias Checking Trusted Module. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-284. The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Improper access control in the firmware for some in Alias Checking Trusted Module for some Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors may allow an escalation of privilege. Startup code and SMM adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are not present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (none) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (none) impacts.

It is possible to read the advisory at intel.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-20898 since 12/09/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/11/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

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Productinfo

Type

• Firmware Software

Vendor

• Intel

Name

• Xeon Processor Firmware

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.intel.com/

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