CVE-2025-20087 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Intel(R) oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler software installers. The core issue stems from incorrect default permissions set on certain installer components, which may allow an authenticated local user to escalate their privileges on the affected system. Specifically, the vulnerability arises because the installer files or directories are configured with overly permissive access rights, enabling users with limited privileges to modify or replace critical installer components. This can lead to execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges once the installer or related processes run. The vulnerability requires local access and some user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L, UI:A). The attack complexity is high (AC:H), meaning exploitation is not trivial and may require specific conditions or knowledge. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H), as privilege escalation can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, alter system configurations, or disrupt operations. The scope is unchanged (S: N), so the impact is limited to the vulnerable component's security context. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used Intel compiler installer is concerning, especially for development environments and build servers where these tools are deployed. The vulnerability affects versions as referenced by Intel, and patch information is not provided in the data, indicating that organizations should monitor Intel advisories closely for updates.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20087 can be significant, particularly for enterprises and research institutions relying on Intel oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler for software development, high-performance computing, and AI workloads. Successful exploitation could allow a low-privileged user, such as a developer or contractor with limited system access, to gain elevated privileges, potentially compromising build environments, source code integrity, and sensitive intellectual property. This could lead to unauthorized code injection, tampering with compiled binaries, or disruption of development pipelines. In regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, such privilege escalation could violate compliance requirements and increase the risk of insider threats or sabotage. Additionally, compromised build environments could be leveraged to introduce supply chain attacks affecting downstream software products. Given the local access requirement, the threat is more pronounced in environments with multiple users on shared systems or insufficient endpoint security controls.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately review and restrict permissions on Intel oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler installer files and related directories to ensure they follow the principle of least privilege, preventing unauthorized modification by non-administrative users. 2) Apply any patches or updates released by Intel promptly once available, as these will likely correct the default permission settings. 3) Implement strict access controls and user account management on development and build servers, limiting local user privileges and enforcing role-based access. 4) Employ endpoint security solutions that monitor and alert on unauthorized file permission changes or suspicious installer activity. 5) Conduct regular audits of development environments to detect potential privilege escalations or unauthorized modifications. 6) Educate users about the risks of privilege escalation and enforce policies that minimize unnecessary local user access on critical systems. 7) Consider isolating build environments using containerization or virtualization to limit the impact of any local compromise.