Intel(R) Slim Bootloader: Improper Authentication
CVE-2025-20083 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Intel(R) Slim Bootloader, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Intel(R) Slim Bootloader versions: See references. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.16% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Intel(R) Slim Bootloader you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel(R) Slim Bootloader | Intel(R) Slim Bootloader | See references | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (intel.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.1 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
Official description
Improper authentication in the firmware for the Intel(R) Slim Bootloader may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Intel(R) Slim Bootloader
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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