CVE-2025-14304 is a vulnerability identified in certain ASRock Intel 500 chipset motherboards, including those from ASRockRack and ASRockInd. The root cause is a protection mechanism failure classified under CWE-693, specifically due to the Input-Output Memory Management Unit (IOMMU) not being properly enabled. IOMMU is a critical hardware feature that isolates and restricts direct memory access (DMA) from peripheral devices, preventing unauthorized memory access. In this case, the lack of proper IOMMU configuration allows an attacker with physical access to the machine to connect a DMA-capable PCIe device and perform arbitrary reads and writes to physical memory. This attack can be executed before the operating system kernel and its security features are loaded, effectively bypassing OS-level protections such as kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR), secure boot, and other memory protections. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible. The CVSS 4.0 score is 7.0 (high severity), reflecting the ease of exploitation (physical access only), the absence of authentication, and the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patches or firmware updates have been published yet, and no known exploits are currently in the wild. This vulnerability is significant because it undermines the hardware-enforced security boundary, potentially allowing attackers to implant persistent malware, extract sensitive data, or disrupt system operations at a fundamental level.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially in sectors where physical security is less stringent or where devices are deployed in semi-public or shared environments. Attackers with physical access could leverage this flaw to bypass OS security, extract cryptographic keys, intellectual property, or sensitive personal data, and implant persistent firmware-level malware that survives OS reinstalls. Critical infrastructure, government agencies, financial institutions, and enterprises relying on ASRock Intel 500 chipset motherboards could face data breaches, operational disruptions, and long-term compromise. The ability to manipulate memory before OS initialization means traditional endpoint security solutions may be ineffective. This elevates the threat level for organizations in Europe that use these motherboards in servers, workstations, or industrial control systems. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the potential for future exploitation remains high.

1. Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to hardware, including locked server rooms and restricted access to workstations. 2. Disable or physically block unused PCIe slots to reduce the attack surface for DMA-capable devices. 3. Employ hardware-based security features such as Intel VT-d or AMD-Vi where applicable, ensuring IOMMU is properly enabled and configured in BIOS/firmware settings. 4. Monitor system logs and hardware inventory for unauthorized or unexpected PCIe devices. 5. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous low-level memory access patterns. 6. Coordinate with ASRock for firmware updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider deploying hardware with verified IOMMU configurations or alternative chipsets if immediate mitigation is not feasible. 8. Educate IT and security staff about the risks of DMA attacks and the importance of physical security in mitigating such threats.