CVE-2020-15480

Name: CVE-2020-15480
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-08-07T21:15:10.537+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 0.63%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-15480 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. An issue was discovered in PassMark BurnInTest through 9.1, OSForensics through 7.1, and PerformanceTest through 10. The kernel driver exposes IOCTL functionality that allows low-privilege users to read and write to arbitrary Model Specific Registers (MSRs). EPSS estimates a 0.63% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue was discovered in PassMark BurnInTest through 9.1, OSForensics through 7.1, and PerformanceTest through 10. The kernel driver exposes IOCTL functionality that allows low-privilege users to read and write to arbitrary Model Specific Registers (MSRs). This could lead to arbitrary Ring-0 code execution and escalation of privileges. This affects DirectIo32.sys and DirectIo64.sys.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.63%

45.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Passmark	Burnintest	<= 9.1
Passmark	Osforensics	<= 7.1
Passmark	Performancetest	<= 10.0

References

https://github.com/eset/vulnerability-disclosuresThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/eset/vulnerability-disclosures/blob/master/CVE-2020-15480/CVE-2020-15480.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.passmark.com/forum/index.phpVendor Advisory
https://www.passmark.com/support/index.phpVendor Advisory
https://github.com/eset/vulnerability-disclosuresThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/eset/vulnerability-disclosures/blob/master/CVE-2020-15480/CVE-2020-15480.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.passmark.com/forum/index.phpVendor Advisory
https://www.passmark.com/support/index.phpVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 7, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15480?

How severe is CVE-2020-15480?

CVE-2020-15480 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.63% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15480?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-15480?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST