CVE-2025-13348 is an improper access control vulnerability classified under CWE-862, affecting the ASUS Secure Delete Driver component within ASUS Business Manager. The vulnerability arises because the driver fails to enforce proper authorization checks when processing requests from local users. Specifically, a local attacker with limited privileges can send a specially crafted request to the driver, which improperly handles the request and allows the creation of arbitrary files at specified locations on the system. This unauthorized file creation can be leveraged to overwrite critical system files, plant malicious payloads, or manipulate system behavior, potentially leading to privilege escalation or persistent compromise. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited by any local user with standard privileges, increasing the attack surface. The CVSS v4.0 score of 8.5 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no need for authentication beyond local access. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat. ASUS Business Manager is a management suite commonly pre-installed or used on ASUS business-class laptops and desktops, meaning affected devices are widespread in enterprise environments. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may still be pending or in development, underscoring the need for interim mitigations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly in sectors where ASUS hardware and management software are prevalent, such as government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises. The ability for a local user to create arbitrary files without authorization can lead to privilege escalation, unauthorized data manipulation, or persistence of malware, undermining system integrity and confidentiality. This could result in data breaches, disruption of business operations, or compromise of sensitive information. The vulnerability's exploitation could also facilitate lateral movement within networks if attackers gain initial local access, increasing the scope of impact. Given the high CVSS score and the critical nature of the affected component, organizations face a heightened risk of targeted attacks or insider threats leveraging this flaw. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the potential impact warrants immediate attention.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict local user permissions strictly, ensuring that only trusted personnel have access to systems running ASUS Business Manager. 2) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection to monitor and block unauthorized file creation or modification activities, especially in sensitive directories. 3) Use file integrity monitoring tools to detect unexpected changes to critical system files or directories. 4) Isolate systems with ASUS Business Manager from less trusted networks and users to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 5) Regularly audit and review local user accounts and privileges to minimize the attack surface. 6) Monitor vendor communications closely for the release of official patches or updates and apply them immediately upon availability. 7) Consider temporary disabling or uninstalling ASUS Business Manager on critical systems if feasible until a patch is released. 8) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege abuse and the importance of maintaining strict access controls.