CVE-2024-37355 is an escalation of privilege vulnerability found in Intel(R) Graphics software, caused by improper access control mechanisms within the software. The flaw allows an authenticated user with local access and limited privileges to elevate their privileges on the affected system. This vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited with low attack complexity, making it a significant risk in environments where users have local access but should not have elevated permissions. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system settings, or disruption of system operations. The affected product is Intel Graphics software, which is widely deployed across many Intel-based computing platforms globally. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the high CVSS score (8.5) reflects the severity and potential impact of this vulnerability. The vulnerability was reserved in August 2024 and published in February 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Due to the nature of the flaw, attackers with local access could leverage this to gain administrative privileges, bypassing security controls and potentially compromising entire systems or networks.

The impact of CVE-2024-37355 is significant for organizations worldwide using Intel Graphics software on their systems. Successful exploitation allows attackers with local access to escalate privileges, potentially gaining administrative or SYSTEM-level control. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, installation of persistent malware, disabling of security controls, and disruption of critical services. Enterprises with large deployments of Intel-based desktops and laptops, especially those in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, face increased risk of data breaches and operational disruptions. The vulnerability also poses a threat to cloud service providers and data centers utilizing Intel hardware, as compromised hosts could affect multi-tenant environments. Since exploitation requires local access, organizations with weak endpoint security or shared user environments are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score underscores the urgency of addressing this flaw to prevent potential attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2024-37355, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Monitor Intel's official security advisories closely and apply patches or updates to Intel Graphics software immediately upon release. 2) Restrict local user permissions rigorously, ensuring users have only the minimum necessary privileges to perform their tasks. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious local activity. 4) Harden system configurations by disabling unnecessary services and enforcing strict access controls on graphics driver components and related software. 5) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on local privilege escalation vectors. 6) Educate users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized software installation or execution. 7) In high-security environments, consider isolating critical systems or using virtualization/containerization to limit the impact of potential exploits. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access and monitoring privilege changes specific to Intel Graphics software components.