CVE-2025-12053 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) affecting Insyde Software's InsydeH2O tools, which are widely used firmware components in various computing devices. The vulnerability stems from the drivers within these tool packages using the RTL_QUERY_REGISTRY_DIRECT flag to read registry values. This method of reading the registry can be exploited by an untrusted user-mode application to cause a buffer overflow due to improper bounds checking. Specifically, the vulnerable code does not adequately validate the size or content of the registry data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer, leading to an out-of-bounds write condition. This flaw can be triggered locally by an attacker with low privileges (PR:L), without requiring user interaction (UI:N), and affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component's privileges. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode or escalate privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the high CVSS score (7.8) reflects the serious risk posed by this vulnerability. The affected versions are not explicitly listed, but users of InsydeH2O tools should assume all current versions prior to patching are vulnerable. The vulnerability was published on January 14, 2026, with the reservation date on October 22, 2025. No patches are currently linked, indicating users must monitor vendor advisories closely.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the potential for local attackers or malicious insiders to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code at a high privilege level. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and compromise of system integrity. Organizations relying on hardware or firmware incorporating InsydeH2O tools—common in laptops, embedded systems, and IoT devices—may face increased risk of targeted attacks or insider threats exploiting this flaw. The impact is particularly critical for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government, where confidentiality and availability are paramount. Additionally, the ability to compromise firmware-level components can undermine trust in device security and complicate incident response. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for mitigation given the ease of local exploitation and high potential impact.

1. Restrict local user permissions to limit access to registry keys and prevent untrusted applications from interacting with vulnerable drivers. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect and block unauthorized attempts to access or manipulate registry values. 3. Monitor system logs and registry access patterns for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Coordinate with Insyde Software to obtain and apply official patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available. 5. Employ hardware-based security features such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and secure boot to reduce the risk of firmware tampering. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on firmware and driver components. 7. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of running untrusted local applications and enforce least privilege principles. 8. For critical systems, consider isolating devices or using virtualization to contain potential exploitation impact.