# CVE-2026-20754: Intel NPU Driver improper conditions check in firmware

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20754-intel-npu-driver-improper-conditions-check-in-firmware  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-12. Updated: 2026-05-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20754 · Severity: info · CVSS 6.9 · Published 2026-05-12

A vulnerability in Intel NPU (Neural Processing Unit) drivers could allow a local user to crash the system. The NPU is a specialized hardware component used for accelerating artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks. An exploit could lead to a denial-of-service condition, impacting system availability and potentially disrupting ongoing operations.

Technologies: [Intel NPU Driver for Linux](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npu-driver-for-linux), [Intel NPU Driver for Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npu-driver-for-windows). Vendors: [Intel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/intel).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-20754 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20754 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20754?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 6.9, published 12 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Intel NPU Driver for Linux before 1.26.0; Intel NPU Driver for Windows before 32.0.100.4511.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20754?** A patch was published on 2026-05-12. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-20754 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in device firmware.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20754?** Check whether you run Intel NPU Driver for Linux or Intel NPU Driver for Windows at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability (CWE-754) exists due to an improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions within the firmware of Intel NPU Drivers operating at Ring 1 (Device Drivers). An unprivileged but authenticated local adversary can exploit this flaw with low complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation primarily impacts system availability by triggering a denial-of-service state, with a minor impact on system integrity. Intel has released updates for both Windows and Linux drivers to mitigate this issue.

## Affected products

- Intel NPU Driver for Linux before 1.26.0
- Intel NPU Driver for Windows before 32.0.100.4511

## Timeline

- 2026-05-12: disclosed
- 2026-05-12: advisory
- 2026-05-12: patched

## References

- [https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01424.html](https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01424.html)

## Related threats

- [Intel NPU Driver improper resource locking denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40705-improper-resource-locking-for-the-intel-r-npu-drivers-before)
- [Intel NPU Driver integer underflow in Ring 3 user applications](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40426-integer-underflow-wrap-or-wraparound-for-the-intel-r-npu-driver)
- [Intel NPU Driver null pointer dereference denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-32672-null-pointer-dereference-for-the-intel-r-npu-drivers-before)
- [Intel NPU Driver Windows time-of-check time-of-use race condition](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20908-intel-npu-driver-windows-time-of-check-time-of-use-race-condition)
- [Intel NPU Driver out-of-bounds read denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20786-intel-npu-driver-out-of-bounds-read-denial-of-service)