CVE-2025-14599 is classified as a CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability found in the Altera Quartus Prime Standard and Lite installers (SFX) on Windows platforms, specifically versions 23.1 through 24.1. The vulnerability arises from the installer’s improper handling of the search path used to locate DLLs or executables during installation. An attacker with limited local privileges can exploit this by placing a malicious file in a directory that is searched before the legitimate one, causing the installer to load and execute the malicious code instead of the intended component. This type of attack is commonly referred to as search order hijacking. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), partial authentication (AT:P), low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:A). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as arbitrary code execution can lead to privilege escalation or system compromise. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits are reported in the wild, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed proactively. The affected software is widely used in FPGA design and semiconductor development workflows, making the vulnerability relevant to organizations involved in hardware design and manufacturing.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-14599 can be significant, particularly for those in the semiconductor, electronics, and hardware design sectors that rely on Altera Quartus Prime software. Successful exploitation could allow a local attacker or malicious insider to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges during the installation process, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive design files, intellectual property theft, or disruption of development environments. This could affect the confidentiality and integrity of proprietary designs and the availability of critical engineering tools. Given the strategic importance of semiconductor manufacturing in Europe, such as in Germany’s automotive and industrial sectors, France’s electronics industry, and the Netherlands’ chip design companies, the vulnerability could have downstream effects on supply chain security and innovation. Additionally, compromised development environments could be leveraged to insert hardware backdoors or sabotage products, posing national security risks. Although exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the medium severity rating underscores the need for vigilance in environments where multiple users share workstations or where endpoint security is lax.

To mitigate CVE-2025-14599, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Monitor Altera’s vendor communications closely and apply patches or updated installers as soon as they become available. 2) Restrict write permissions on directories involved in the installation process to prevent unprivileged users from placing malicious files in search paths. 3) Employ application whitelisting and code integrity verification tools to detect and block unauthorized DLLs or executables during installation. 4) Conduct installation processes under accounts with the minimum necessary privileges and avoid running installers with elevated rights unless absolutely required. 5) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious DLL loading or process injection activities during software installation. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of running installers from untrusted sources or locations. 7) Consider isolating development environments or using virtual machines to limit the impact of potential local exploits. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching advice and focus on controlling the attack surface related to search path hijacking.