# What is CVE-2020-8698?

> CVE-2020-8698 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) in Microcode from Intel, published on 12 November 2020. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 0.5%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2020-8698

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Plan it in. No sign of exploitation and a low forecast. Patch it in your normal update cycle.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 20 out of 100 (Low); action: Monitor. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Medium (CVSS 5.5 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 0.5% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 12 November 2020
- **Record last updated:** 7 November 2023
- **Main product:** Microcode from Intel
- **Affected products:** 49

## What is CVE-2020-8698? In plain terms

An attacker has to be already on the device with an ordinary user account, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data.

### The official description

Improper isolation of shared resources in some Intel(R) Processors may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-668: Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Already on the device
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: An ordinary user account
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can read data

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`

## Is CVE-2020-8698 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 0.5%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.5%.

### Timeline

- 12 November 2020: Published
- 7 November 2023: Record last updated

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2020-8698 scores **20 out of 100 (Low)**, with the action "Monitor".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2020-8698?

The published record lists 49 products. Versions are as published: "before 22.01.08" means every version up to, but not including, 22.01.08.

- [Microcode](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/microcode) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Operating system): version not specified
- [Clustered Data Ontap](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/clustered_data_ontap) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Application): version not specified
- [Core I3-1000g1](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1000g1) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I3-1000g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1000g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I3-1005g1](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1005g1) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I3-1110g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1110g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I3-1115g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1115g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I3-1120g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1120g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I3-1125g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i3-1125g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1030g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1030g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1030g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1030g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1035g1](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1035g1) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1035g4](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1035g4) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1035g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1035g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1130g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1130g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I5-1135g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i5-1135g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I7-1060g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i7-1060g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I7-1065g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i7-1065g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I7-1160g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i7-1160g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I7-1165g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i7-1165g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Core I7-1185g7](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/intel/core_i7-1185g7) by [Intel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/intel) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Debian Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/debian/debian_linux) by [Debian](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/debian) (Operating system): 9.0
- [Fedora](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/fedoraproject/fedora) by [Fedoraproject](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/fedoraproject) (Operating system): 31
- [Hci Compute Node](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/hci_compute_node) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Hci Compute Node BIOS](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/hci_compute_node_bios) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Operating system): version not specified
- [Hci Storage Node](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/hci_storage_node) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Hci Storage Node BIOS](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/hci_storage_node_bios) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Operating system): version not specified
- [Simatic Field Pg M5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_field_pg_m5) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Field Pg M5 Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_field_pg_m5_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 22.01.08
- [Simatic Field Pg M6](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_field_pg_m6) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Field Pg M6 Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_field_pg_m6_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): all versions
- [Simatic Ipc427e](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc427e) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc427e Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc427e_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 21.01.15
- [Simatic Ipc477e](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc477e) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc477e Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc477e_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 21.01.15
- [Simatic Ipc477e Pro](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc477e_pro) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc477e Pro Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc477e_pro_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 21.01.15
- [Simatic Ipc627e](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc627e) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc627e Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc627e_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 25.02.08
- [Simatic Ipc647e](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc647e) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc647e Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc647e_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 25.02.08
- [Simatic Ipc677e](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc677e) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc677e Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc677e_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 25.02.08
- [Simatic Ipc847e](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc847e) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Ipc847e Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_ipc847e_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 25.02.08
- [Simatic Itp1000](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_itp1000) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Simatic Itp1000 Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/siemens/simatic_itp1000_firmware) by [Siemens](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/siemens) (Operating system): before 23.01.08
- [Solidfire](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/solidfire) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Solidfire BIOS](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/solidfire_bios) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Operating system): version not specified

## How do I fix CVE-2020-8698?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [intel.com](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00381) (Vendor advisory)
- [cert-portal.siemens.com](https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-678983.pdf) (Third-party advisory)
- [lists.debian.org](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/02/msg00007.html) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [lists.fedoraproject.org](https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MAAGIK5CXKBPGY3R4UR5VO56M7MKLZ43/)
- [security.netapp.com](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0006/) (Third-party advisory)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2020-8698?

CVE-2020-8698 is a medium-severity flaw in Microcode from Intel, published on 12 November 2020. An attacker has to be already on the device with an ordinary user account, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data.

### How serious is CVE-2020-8698?

It scores 5.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is medium. Our risk score for CVE-2020-8698 is 20 out of 100, which is Low. Its action is "Monitor". No sign of exploitation and a low forecast. Patch it in your normal update cycle.

### Is CVE-2020-8698 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 0.5%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2020-8698 affect?

For Microcode from Intel: version not specified. The record lists 49 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2020-8698?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2020-8698 affect you?

Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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