Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:L) | Local access needed |
| Attack complexity (AC:H) | High complexity |
| Attack requirements (AT:P) | Attack requirements present |
| Privileges required (PR:L) | Low privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:N) | No user interaction |
| Confidentiality (VC:H) | High confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (VI:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (VA:N) | No availability impact |
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
About Intel Xeon 634 Firmware
CVE-2026-20716 affects Intel Xeon 634 Firmware, a product from Intel. Before acting, confirm where Intel Xeon 634 Firmware runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: Improper access control for some Intel(R) Processors within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Simple hardware adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present with 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 (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
The weakness class is Improper Access Control. The software does not properly restrict who can use a resource.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw needs local or adjacent access, needs some level of access, and needs no user interaction. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Intel Xeon 634 Firmware |
| Affected versions | Xeon 634 Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 636 Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 638 Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 654 Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 656 Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 658x Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 674x Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 676x Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 678x Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 696x Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 698x Firmware all listed versions; Xeon 6315p Firmware all listed versions |
| Published | Aug 11, 2026 |
| Last modified | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | secure@intel.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of Intel Xeon 634 Firmware and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of Intel Xeon 634 Firmware named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on Intel Xeon 634 Firmware to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
- CWE-284: Improper Access Control More CVEs with this weakness
- CWE-284: Improper Access Control More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
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