# CVE-2026-20914: Intel QAT software drivers null pointer dereference

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20914-intel-qat-software-drivers-null-pointer-dereference  
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-2026-20914 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · 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 system or specific applications, leading to a denial of service. This could disrupt business operations that rely on high-performance data processing.

Technologies: [Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) 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-2026-20914 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20914 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20914?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 12 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) Software Drivers for Windows before 2.6.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20914?** 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-2026-20914 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20914?** Check whether you run Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) Software Drivers for Windows, Intel QuickAssist Technology software drivers for Windows or Intel Quickassist Technology 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

A NULL pointer dereference (CWE-476) exists in certain Intel QAT software drivers for Windows within Ring 3 (User Applications). The vulnerability is triggered when the driver fails to properly validate a pointer before dereferencing it. An unprivileged but authenticated local attacker can exploit this flaw with low complexity to cause a denial of service (system or application crash). The issue is resolved in Intel QAT software driver version 2.6.0 and later. No user interaction is required for exploitation.

## Affected products

- Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software drivers for Windows before 2.6.0

## 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 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)
- [Intel QAT Windows Driver unchecked return value in Ring 3 applications](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20793-intel-qat-windows-driver-unchecked-return-value-in-ring-3)