HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-12494
MEDIUM

CVE-2020-12494

CWE-459Published: June 16, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

5.3
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Beckhoff's TwinCAT RT network driver for Intel 8254x and 8255x is providing EtherCAT functionality. The driver implements real-time features. Except for Ethernet frames sent from real-time functionality, all other Ethernet frames sent through the driver are not padded if their payload is less than the minimum Ethernet frame size. Instead, arbitrary memory content is transmitted within in the padding bytes of the frame. Most likely this memory contains slices from previously transmitted or received frames. By this method, memory content is disclosed, however, an attacker can hardly control which memory content is affected. For example, the disclosure can be provoked with small sized ICMP echo requests sent to the device.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-12494 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

beckhoff2 product(s)
twincat drivertwincat
intel18 product(s)
82540em82540ep82541ei82541er82541gi82541pi82544ei82544gc82545em82545gm82546eb82546gb+6
Source: NVD CPE · 22 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
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Official Patches & Advisories

All References (2)

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-12494
CVSS Score5.3 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-459
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 16, 2020

Related CVEs (CWE-459)

Recommended Actions

  • Apply vendor patches immediately
  • Monitor CVE-2020-12494 in threat intel feeds
  • Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.