CVE-2025-14252 is an Improper Access Control vulnerability identified in the Advantech SUSI driver (susi.sys), affecting versions 5.0.24335 and prior. The SUSI driver is a system-level component that facilitates communication between software and hardware interfaces, commonly used in Advantech embedded and industrial computing platforms. The vulnerability arises because the driver improperly restricts access to critical system resources such as arbitrary memory regions, I/O ports, and model-specific registers (MSRs). An attacker with low-level privileges (local access) can exploit this flaw to perform unauthorized read and write operations on these resources. This capability enables privilege escalation, allowing the attacker to elevate their permissions to kernel or system level, execute arbitrary code with high privileges, and potentially disclose sensitive information from protected memory areas. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.5 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with relatively low attack complexity and no requirement for user interaction. The vulnerability does not require network access, limiting exploitation to local attackers, but the consequences of a successful attack are severe. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet, but the nature of the vulnerability makes it a critical concern for environments using Advantech SUSI drivers, especially in industrial control systems and embedded devices where such drivers are prevalent. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, especially those in industrial automation, manufacturing, transportation, and critical infrastructure sectors that utilize Advantech embedded systems, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially disrupting operations, stealing sensitive data, or causing safety hazards. The ability to read and write arbitrary memory and hardware registers can also facilitate stealthy persistence and evasion of detection mechanisms. Given the widespread use of Advantech hardware in European industrial environments, the impact could extend to critical supply chains and infrastructure. Organizations may face operational downtime, data breaches, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed, and reputational damage. The local access requirement somewhat limits the attack vector to insiders or attackers who have already gained some foothold, but the ease of privilege escalation makes lateral movement and full compromise more feasible once initial access is obtained.

1. Monitor Advantech's official channels for patches or firmware updates addressing CVE-2025-14252 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict local access to systems running the vulnerable SUSI driver by enforcing strict physical security and limiting user permissions to trusted personnel only. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block suspicious activities related to privilege escalation attempts. 4. Use kernel-level integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to critical drivers and system components. 5. Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable embedded systems from broader enterprise networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement. 6. Regularly audit and harden system configurations to minimize the attack surface, including disabling unnecessary services and drivers. 7. Consider deploying host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) that can intercept unauthorized access to hardware resources. 8. Educate IT and OT staff about the risks and signs of exploitation to improve incident detection and response. 9. If patching is delayed, explore temporary mitigations such as disabling or limiting the SUSI driver functionality if feasible without disrupting critical operations.