CVE-2025-20010 is a vulnerability identified in Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility versions prior to 8.0.43, caused by the use of unmaintained third-party components within the utility operating in Ring 3 (user application space). This vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker with low complexity to escalate privileges on the affected system. The attack vector requires local access and an authenticated user but does not require user interaction or special internal knowledge, making exploitation feasible in environments where users have standard access. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system at a high level, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges and compromise system security. The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.5 reflects the high impact and relatively low attack complexity. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the presence of unmaintained components suggests a risk of future exploitation. The vulnerability is significant for systems running Intel processors where this utility is installed, particularly in enterprise environments where privilege escalation can lead to lateral movement and broader compromise. The utility is often used for processor identification and diagnostics, so it may be present on many endpoints and servers. The lack of required user interaction and the local attack vector means that insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this vulnerability to gain higher privileges.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk as it enables local privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative or system-level access from a lower privileged user account. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation or destruction of critical system files, and disruption of services. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all at high risk, which is critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Organizations with large deployments of Intel hardware and legacy software versions are particularly vulnerable. The ability to escalate privileges locally also increases the risk from insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds through phishing or other means. This vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the scope and impact of attacks. Given the widespread use of Intel processors across Europe, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of industries and public sector entities, potentially leading to data breaches, operational disruptions, and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR and other frameworks.

The primary mitigation is to update the Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility to version 8.0.43 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement strict patch management policies to ensure timely updates of this and related utilities. Additionally, limit local user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable utility versions. Conduct regular audits of installed software to identify outdated or unmaintained third-party components. Implement robust monitoring and logging of privilege escalation attempts and local user activities to detect exploitation attempts early. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider restricting access to systems running the vulnerable utility and isolating critical systems. Educate users about the risks of privilege escalation and enforce strong authentication and access controls to reduce the likelihood of initial compromise. Finally, coordinate with Intel and security vendors for any additional advisories or mitigations.