CVE-2025-20012 is a vulnerability identified in certain Intel Core Ultra Processors, characterized by an incorrect ordering of internal processor behaviors. This flaw can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker who has physical access to the affected hardware, enabling potential information disclosure. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction or prior authentication, but the attack complexity is high due to the need for physical access and specialized knowledge or equipment to exploit the processor's behavior. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality of data processed or stored within the CPU, potentially allowing leakage of sensitive information. There is no impact on integrity or availability, and no remote exploitation vector exists. As of the published date, no known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigations have been officially released by Intel. The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS 4.1 score, reflecting medium severity, primarily due to the physical access requirement and high attack complexity. The affected versions are not explicitly listed but pertain to Intel Core Ultra Processor models, which are commonly used in high-performance computing devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of physical security in protecting hardware-based assets and sensitive information processed by these CPUs.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-20012 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information if an attacker gains physical access to devices equipped with vulnerable Intel Core Ultra Processors. This could affect confidentiality of intellectual property, personal data, or classified information, particularly in sectors such as government, defense, finance, and critical infrastructure. Since the attack requires physical access and has high complexity, the risk is mitigated in environments with strong physical security controls. However, in scenarios where devices are deployed in less secure locations or are portable (e.g., laptops, mobile workstations), the risk increases. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate future risk. Organizations may face compliance and reputational risks if sensitive data is exposed due to this vulnerability. Overall, the impact is moderate but significant for high-security environments.

1. Enhance physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to devices containing Intel Core Ultra Processors, including secure storage, access controls, and surveillance. 2. Implement strict device handling policies, especially for portable devices, to reduce risk of theft or tampering. 3. Monitor and audit physical access logs regularly to detect suspicious activities. 4. Once Intel releases official patches or microcode updates, prioritize their deployment across affected systems. 5. Employ hardware-based security features such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) and secure boot to limit unauthorized data extraction. 6. Use full disk encryption to protect data at rest, mitigating the impact of physical data extraction. 7. Educate staff on the importance of physical security and the risks associated with this vulnerability. 8. Consider network segmentation and data minimization on vulnerable devices to reduce exposure of sensitive information. 9. Maintain an inventory of devices with Intel Core Ultra Processors to identify and prioritize risk management efforts. 10. Engage with Intel and security advisories for updates and guidance on this vulnerability.