CVE-2025-0014 identifies a vulnerability in the AMD Ryzen™ AI Software related to incorrect default permissions (CWE-276) set on its installation folder. This misconfiguration allows users with limited privileges to escalate their permissions by exploiting the overly permissive access controls on the installation directory. Specifically, if the folder permissions are set too broadly, an attacker with local access could replace or modify executable files or scripts within the installation folder. This could lead to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges, potentially granting full control over the affected system. The vulnerability arises from improper security settings during software installation or configuration, where the principle of least privilege is not enforced. Although no specific affected versions are listed, the vulnerability is tied to the AMD Ryzen™ AI Software, which is designed to enhance AI workloads on AMD Ryzen processors. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The issue was reserved in October 2024 and published in April 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond local access, but it does require the attacker to have some level of access to the system to exploit the permission misconfiguration. This vulnerability primarily impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by enabling privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where AMD Ryzen™ AI Software is deployed on workstations or servers. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, and disrupt operations. Organizations using AMD Ryzen™ AI Software in research, AI development, or high-performance computing may face increased risk due to the elevated privileges that could be gained. The impact is heightened in sectors with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where unauthorized access could lead to data breaches or operational disruptions. Since the vulnerability requires local access, the threat is more severe in environments with multiple users or where attackers can gain initial foothold through other means (e.g., phishing, insider threat). The lack of known exploits suggests limited current active exploitation, but the medium severity rating indicates that the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent potential future attacks.

1. Immediately audit and correct the permissions on the AMD Ryzen™ AI Software installation folder to ensure they follow the principle of least privilege, restricting write and modify permissions to only trusted administrative accounts. 2. Implement application whitelisting and integrity monitoring on the installation directory to detect unauthorized changes. 3. Limit local user access on systems running AMD Ryzen™ AI Software to trusted personnel only, and enforce strong access controls and user account management. 4. Monitor system logs for unusual activities related to the installation folder or privilege escalation attempts. 5. Coordinate with AMD for official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them as soon as they become available. 6. Consider isolating systems running this software in segmented network zones to reduce the risk of lateral movement in case of compromise. 7. Conduct regular security training to raise awareness about the risks of privilege escalation and the importance of maintaining secure configurations.