CVE-2025-12051 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) affecting Insyde Software's InsydeH2O tools, which are widely used in firmware and system management environments. The root cause lies in the drivers within these tool packages that utilize the RTL_QUERY_REGISTRY_DIRECT flag to read registry values. This flag usage allows an untrusted user-mode application to influence the size or content of the registry data being read, leading to a buffer overflow condition. Specifically, the driver does not properly validate or bound the size of the registry data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer, resulting in an out-of-bounds write. This memory corruption can be exploited by a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, as the driver operates in kernel mode. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and has low attack complexity (AC:L), making exploitation feasible for skilled attackers with local access. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component but can affect system-wide confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the potential for privilege escalation and system compromise is significant. The affected versions are not explicitly listed but are implied to be those currently deployed in systems using InsydeH2O tools. The vulnerability was reserved in late 2025 and published in early 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate risk mitigation through access control and monitoring until vendor updates are released.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-12051 is substantial due to the potential for local privilege escalation to kernel mode, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, install persistent malware, or disrupt system operations. This can lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and operational downtime. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, finance, and critical infrastructure that rely on OEM hardware or firmware incorporating InsydeH2O tools are particularly vulnerable. The confidentiality of sensitive data can be breached, integrity of system configurations compromised, and availability of critical services disrupted. Given the local attack vector, insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold via other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score underscores the urgency of addressing this vulnerability to prevent future exploitation.

1. Monitor vendor communications closely and apply official patches or firmware updates from Insyde Software as soon as they become available. 2. Restrict local user privileges rigorously, ensuring that only trusted users have access to systems with InsydeH2O tools installed. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous registry access or unusual driver behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Harden system configurations by limiting registry permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications or reads that could trigger the vulnerability. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on firmware and driver components to identify and remediate similar risks. 6. Employ network segmentation to isolate critical systems that use InsydeH2O tools, reducing the risk of lateral movement post-exploitation. 7. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability specifics to improve incident response readiness. 8. Consider deploying host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) that can block suspicious kernel-mode driver activities.