CVE-2020-12931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2020-12931 was published by AMD on November 8, 2022, involving improper parameters handling in the AMD Secure Processor (ASP) kernel. This vulnerability could allow a privileged attacker to escalate their privileges, potentially compromising system integrity.

Understanding CVE-2020-12931

What is CVE-2020-12931?

The vulnerability in the AMD Secure Processor (ASP) kernel could enable a privileged attacker to elevate their privileges, posing a risk to system integrity.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12931

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a loss of integrity within affected systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12931

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper parameters handling in the AMD Secure Processor (ASP) kernel, which could be exploited by a privileged attacker.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: AMD
Affected Products: AMD Radeon RX 5000 Series & PRO W5000 Series
Vulnerable Versions:
AMD Radeon Software less than 22.5.2
AMD Radeon Pro Software Enterprise less than 22.Q2
Enterprise Driver less than 22.10.20

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows a privileged attacker to manipulate parameters in the ASP kernel, potentially leading to privilege escalation and integrity loss.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by AMD promptly.
Monitor AMD's security bulletins for updates.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

AMD has released patches to address the vulnerability. Ensure all affected systems are updated to the latest secure versions.