CVE-2025-1122 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Google ChromeOS version 15753.50.0, specifically affecting Cr50 boards. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the TPM2 Reference Library, which is part of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) functionality used for hardware-based security. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker who already has root privileges on the device. By leveraging the out-of-bounds write during the NV_Read operation in the TPM's Challenge-Response process, the attacker can bypass the operating system verification mechanism. This bypass allows the attacker to gain persistence on the device, potentially maintaining control even after reboots or attempts to restore system integrity. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.7 (medium), with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring high privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although exploitation requires root access, the vulnerability is significant because it undermines the TPM's role in securing the boot process and system integrity, which are critical for trusted computing environments. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet, indicating the need for prompt attention from affected users and administrators.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to environments using ChromeOS devices with Cr50 boards, such as in education, government, and enterprise sectors where Chromebooks are deployed. The ability to bypass OS verification and gain persistence could allow attackers with initial root access to maintain long-term control, potentially leading to data exfiltration, espionage, or sabotage. Given the TPM's role in securing cryptographic keys and system integrity, exploitation could compromise sensitive information and undermine trust in device security. This is particularly critical for organizations relying on ChromeOS for secure endpoint management and those subject to strict data protection regulations like GDPR. The medium severity reflects the prerequisite of root access, but the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that successful exploitation could have serious consequences, including disruption of operations and loss of sensitive data.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately verify if their ChromeOS devices run the affected version (15753.50.0) on Cr50 boards and prioritize updating to patched versions once available from Google. 2) Restrict root access strictly, employing least privilege principles and strong access controls to prevent attackers from gaining the required privileges to exploit this flaw. 3) Monitor device integrity and TPM logs for unusual NV_Read operations or anomalies in the Challenge-Response process that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions tailored for ChromeOS to detect persistence mechanisms and suspicious activities. 5) Educate IT staff and users about the importance of timely updates and the risks of privilege escalation. 6) Consider additional hardware security measures or alternative device configurations if ChromeOS devices are critical to sensitive operations until patches are deployed.