---
title: "CVE-2020-8698\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2020-8698?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2020-8698

Publication date 10 November 2020

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.5 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2020-8698?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

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

### From the Ubuntu Security Team

Ezra Caltum, Joseph Nuzman, Nir Shildan and Ofir Joseff discovered
that some Intel(R) Processors did not properly isolate shared
resources in some situations. A local attacker could possibly use
this to expose sensitive information.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| intel-microcode | 20.10 groovy | Fixed 3.20210216.0ubuntu0.20.10.1 |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Fixed 3.20210216.0ubuntu0.20.04.1 |
| 19.10 eoan | Ignored end of life |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Fixed 3.20210216.0ubuntu0.18.04.1 |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 3.20201110.0ubuntu0.16.04.1 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 3.20201110.0ubuntu0.14.04.1  Ubuntu Pro |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

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## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.5 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | Low |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | None |
  | Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.5 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-8698)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8698)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2020-8698)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2020-8698)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-4628-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4628-1)
+ Intel Microcode vulnerabilities
+ 11 November 2020

+ [USN-4628-3](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4628-3)
+ Intel Microcode vulnerabilities
+ 17 May 2021

### Other references

* <https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00381.html>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-8698>