CVE-2025-1533 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the AsIO3.sys driver component of ASUS Armoury Crate software, specifically affecting versions 6.1.13 and earlier. Armoury Crate is a utility software commonly pre-installed on ASUS hardware, used for system monitoring, device configuration, and driver management. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of input data that leads to a stack buffer overflow condition. This flaw can be triggered by an attacker with limited privileges (low privileges) locally on the system, without requiring user interaction or authentication, by manipulating input to the vulnerable driver. The exploitation of this vulnerability can cause a system crash resulting in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or potentially lead to undefined behavior, which may include arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.2 reflects the high impact on system availability and integrity, with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. The vulnerability does not require network access, limiting remote exploitation but still posing a significant risk to local users or malware that gains initial access. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the severity and nature of the flaw make it a critical target for attackers aiming to compromise ASUS systems through Armoury Crate. The absence of a patch link in the advisory suggests that mitigation or updates may be pending or need to be obtained directly from ASUS security advisories.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk particularly to enterprises and individuals using ASUS hardware with Armoury Crate installed. The potential for system crashes can disrupt business operations, cause data loss, and reduce system availability. More critically, if exploited for arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation, attackers could gain persistent control over affected systems, leading to data breaches, espionage, or deployment of ransomware. Given the widespread use of ASUS devices in corporate and consumer environments across Europe, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value targets such as government agencies, technology firms, and critical infrastructure operators. The local attack vector limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or malware that has gained foothold on the network. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, with potential cascading effects on supply chain security and operational continuity.

European organizations should immediately inventory ASUS devices running Armoury Crate version 6.1.13 or earlier and prioritize patching once ASUS releases an official update addressing CVE-2025-1533. Until patches are available, organizations should restrict local access to affected systems, enforce strict privilege separation, and monitor for unusual system crashes or BSOD events indicative of exploitation attempts. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous driver behavior or exploitation techniques targeting kernel drivers. Consider disabling or uninstalling Armoury Crate on non-essential systems to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implement application control policies to prevent unauthorized code execution and maintain up-to-date backups to mitigate potential data loss from crashes or ransomware. Security teams should stay informed via ASUS security advisories and coordinate with hardware vendors for timely remediation. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs.