---
title: "CVE-2026-20901\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-2026-20901?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2026-20901

Publication date 11 August 2026

Last updated 31 August 2026

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

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

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.3 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-20901?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

Improper input validation for some Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors within
firmware may allow an escalation of privilege. Startup code and smm
adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may
enable data alteration. This result may potentially occur via local access
when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and
requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the
confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) of the
vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none),
integrity (high) and availability (none) impacts.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| intel-microcode | 26.04 LTS resolute | Needs evaluation |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Needs evaluation |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Needs evaluation |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Needs evaluation |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Needs evaluation |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Needs evaluation |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Needs evaluation |

---

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

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:

CVSS v4.0

[CVSS v4.0](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-20901?format=md)
[CVSS v3.0](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-20901?format=md)

**Base score**

4.0 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | High |
  | Attack requirements | Present |
  | Privileges required | High |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Vulnerable system - Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Vulnerable system - Integrity impact | None |
  | Vulnerable system - Availability impact | None |
  | Subsequent system - Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Subsequent system - Integrity impact | High |
  | Subsequent system - Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 4.0 · Medium |
  | Base + Threat score | - |
  | Base + Environmental score | - |
  | Base + Threat + Environmental score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:H/SA:N

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2026-20901)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20901)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2026-20901)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2026-20901)

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-20901>
* <https://github.com/intel/Intel-Linux-Processor-Microcode-Data-Files/releases/tag/microcode-20260811>
* <https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01442.html>
* <https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01442.html>