CVE-2020-28368

Name: CVE-2020-28368
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-11-10T19:15:11.473+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 4.4/10EPSS 0.39%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-28368 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 4.4/10 on the CVSS scale. Xen through 4.14.x allows guest OS administrators to obtain sensitive information (such as AES keys from outside the guest) via a side-channel attack on a power/energy monitoring interface, aka a "Platypus" attack. NOTE: there is only one logically independent fix: to change the access control for each such interface in Xen.. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Xen through 4.14.x allows guest OS administrators to obtain sensitive information (such as AES keys from outside the guest) via a side-channel attack on a power/energy monitoring interface, aka a "Platypus" attack. NOTE: there is only one logically independent fix: to change the access control for each such interface in Xen.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

4.4/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.39%

31.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-862

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Xen	Xen	<= 4.14.0
Fedoraproject	Fedora	32
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/11/26/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-351.htmlVendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5J66QUUHXH2RR4CNCKQRGVXVSOUFRPDA/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XV23EZIMNLJN4YXRRXLQV2ALW6ZEALXV/
https://platypusattack.comThird Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4804Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-platypus-attack-can-steal-data-from-intel-cpus/Third Party Advisory
https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-351.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/11/26/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-351.htmlVendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5J66QUUHXH2RR4CNCKQRGVXVSOUFRPDA/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XV23EZIMNLJN4YXRRXLQV2ALW6ZEALXV/
https://platypusattack.comThird Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4804Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-platypus-attack-can-steal-data-from-intel-cpus/Third Party Advisory
https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-351.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 10, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-28368?

How severe is CVE-2020-28368?

CVE-2020-28368 has a CVSS score of 4.4/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.39% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-28368?

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-2020-28368?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST