# CVE-2026-20771: Intel QAT software drivers null pointer dereference in Ring 3 User Applications

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20771-intel-qat-software-drivers-null-pointer-dereference-in-ring-3  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-12. Updated: 2026-05-15  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20771 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.1 · Published 2026-05-12

Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software drivers for Windows are used to accelerate cryptographic and data compression workloads. A vulnerability in these drivers could allow a local user to crash the software, leading to a denial of service. This could disrupt applications relying on QAT for performance-critical tasks, though it does not allow for full system takeover.

Technologies: [Intel QuickAssist Technology software drivers for Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/qat-software-drivers-for-windows), [Intel Quickassist Technology](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/quickassist-technology). Vendors: [Intel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/intel).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-20771 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20771 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20771?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.1, published 12 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software drivers for Windows before 1.13.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20771?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-20771 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20771?** Check whether you run Intel QuickAssist Technology software drivers for Windows or Intel Quickassist Technology. 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

A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the Ring 3 (User Applications) component of certain Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software drivers for Windows. The flaw is triggered when the driver fails to properly validate pointers before dereferencing them during application-level operations. An authenticated, unprivileged local attacker can exploit this by executing a low-complexity attack to crash the driver or associated user-mode applications. This results in a high impact on availability and a low impact on confidentiality. The issue is mitigated in version 1.13 and later.

## Affected products

- Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software drivers for Windows before 1.13

## Timeline

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

## References

- [https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01387.html](https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01387.html)

## Related threats

- [Intel QAT software drivers for Windows improper input validation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20767-intel-qat-software-drivers-for-windows-improper-input-validation)
- [Intel QAT software drivers for Windows out-of-bounds write](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20714-intel-qat-software-drivers-for-windows-out-of-bounds-write)
- [Intel QAT software drivers null pointer dereference](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20914-intel-qat-software-drivers-null-pointer-dereference)
- [Intel QAT software drivers improper input validation in Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20905-intel-qat-software-drivers-improper-input-validation-in-windows)
- [Intel QAT software drivers divide by zero in Ring 3 User Applications](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20881-intel-qat-software-drivers-divide-by-zero-in-ring-3-user)