CVE-2022-21174 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime Pro Edition versions prior to 21.3. The vulnerability arises from improper access control in a third-party component integrated into the software. Specifically, this flaw allows an authenticated local user with limited privileges to escalate their privileges on the affected system. Since the vulnerability requires local access and user authentication, it is not exploitable remotely or without user credentials. However, once exploited, it can lead to full compromise of the system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects the significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), with low attack complexity and low privileges required, but no user interaction needed. Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition is a software tool used primarily for FPGA design and development, widely used in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and defense. The improper access control likely allows privilege escalation by bypassing security checks in the third-party component, enabling an attacker to execute code or commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized system modifications, data leakage, or disruption of FPGA design workflows. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and impact warrant prompt attention and remediation by affected users.

For European organizations, especially those involved in critical infrastructure sectors like telecommunications, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and defense, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition is commonly used in the design and development of FPGA-based systems, which are integral to many embedded and mission-critical applications. Exploitation could allow malicious insiders or compromised users to escalate privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive design data, intellectual property theft, or sabotage of FPGA configurations. This could disrupt supply chains, delay product development, or compromise the security of embedded systems deployed in critical environments. Given the local access requirement, the threat is more pronounced in environments where multiple users share workstations or where endpoint security is lax. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that successful exploitation could have far-reaching consequences, including regulatory compliance violations under GDPR if sensitive data is exposed.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Upgrade Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition to version 21.3 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. 2) Restrict local access to systems running Quartus Prime Pro Edition to trusted personnel only, enforcing strict physical and logical access controls. 3) Implement robust endpoint security measures, including application whitelisting and privilege management, to prevent unauthorized execution of code with elevated privileges. 4) Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions on systems running the affected software to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 5) Monitor system logs for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious activities related to the Quartus software. 6) Educate users about the risks of privilege escalation and enforce policies that minimize the risk of credential compromise. 7) If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider isolating affected systems within segmented network zones to limit potential lateral movement.