CVE-2025-20052 is a vulnerability identified in Intel(R) Graphics software that stems from improper access control mechanisms. Specifically, this flaw allows an authenticated local user with limited privileges to potentially cause a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and can be exploited locally, meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the affected system. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level. The vector details reveal that the attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no attack technique required (AT:N), and privileges required are low (PR:L). There is no user interaction needed (UI:N), and the vulnerability impacts availability heavily (VA:H), with limited impact on integrity (VI:L) and no impact on confidentiality (VC:N). The scope remains unchanged (SC:N). The vulnerability is related to Intel Graphics software, which is widely used in many computing devices, including desktops, laptops, and workstations that utilize Intel integrated graphics. The improper access control could allow an authenticated user to disrupt graphics services, potentially causing system instability, crashes, or rendering the graphics subsystem unusable until a reboot or remediation is performed. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links are provided in the source information, indicating that organizations should monitor Intel advisories closely for updates. This vulnerability is particularly relevant in environments where multiple users share a system or where low-privileged users have local access, such as enterprise desktops or shared workstations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20052 can be significant in environments relying on Intel integrated graphics hardware, which is common in corporate desktops and laptops. A successful denial of service attack could disrupt business operations by causing system crashes or degraded performance, especially in sectors that rely heavily on graphical applications or remote desktop services. This could lead to productivity losses, increased IT support costs, and potential downtime. Although the vulnerability does not allow for data theft or privilege escalation, the availability impact can affect critical business functions, particularly in industries such as finance, manufacturing, and public administration where system uptime is crucial. Additionally, organizations with shared computing environments or those that permit local user access without strict controls are at higher risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat levels but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it should be addressed promptly to prevent potential disruption.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-20052, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict local user access on systems with Intel Graphics software to trusted personnel only, minimizing the number of users with local login capabilities. 2) Enforce strict access control policies and user privilege management to ensure that users do not have unnecessary permissions that could facilitate exploitation. 3) Monitor Intel's official security advisories and promptly apply any patches or updates released to address this vulnerability. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect unusual system behavior or crashes related to graphics services that might indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Consider isolating critical systems or those with sensitive workloads from general user access to reduce exposure. 6) Conduct regular system audits to verify that only authorized software and drivers are installed and that configurations adhere to security best practices. 7) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local access vulnerabilities and the importance of reporting system anomalies immediately. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and rapid patch management specific to the nature of this vulnerability.