CVE-2025-20108 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Intel(R) Network Adapter Driver installers for Windows 11 versions prior to 29.4. The issue arises from an uncontrolled search path element during the installation process of these network adapter drivers. Specifically, the installer does not properly validate or restrict the directories it searches for required files, which can be exploited by an authenticated local user to escalate privileges. This means that a user with limited privileges who has local access to the system could potentially manipulate the search path to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, thereby gaining higher-level access than intended. The vulnerability requires local authentication and some user interaction, such as running the installer or triggering the installation process. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.4, indicating a medium severity level, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, and partial user interaction. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level once exploited, as it allows privilege escalation. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or vendor advisories have been linked yet. The vulnerability is specific to Windows 11 systems using affected Intel network adapter drivers, which are commonly found in enterprise and consumer devices. This flaw could be leveraged by attackers to gain administrative control over affected systems, potentially leading to further compromise or lateral movement within a network.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily in environments where Intel network adapters are deployed on Windows 11 endpoints. Enterprises with large Windows 11 deployments using Intel network hardware could see attackers leveraging this flaw to escalate privileges from a standard user account to administrative levels. This could facilitate unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of network communications, or installation of persistent malware. Given that many European organizations rely on Intel hardware due to its market dominance, the vulnerability could affect sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. The local access requirement somewhat limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or attackers who gain initial footholds via phishing or other means could exploit this vulnerability to deepen their access. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used as a stepping stone for lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the potential impact. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and the widespread use of Intel network adapters in Europe necessitate prompt attention.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting local user permissions to prevent unauthorized users from executing or triggering the vulnerable installer. 2. Organizations should monitor and control software installation activities, especially those involving network adapter drivers. 3. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or unexpected execution of installer binaries. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious activities related to driver installation or privilege escalation attempts. 5. Until a patch is available, consider deploying network segmentation and strict access controls to limit local access to critical systems. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted installers and the importance of verifying software sources. 7. Regularly audit installed driver versions and plan for timely updates once Intel releases a patched version (29.4 or later). 8. Use group policies or endpoint management tools to enforce driver installation policies and prevent unauthorized driver updates. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling the installation environment and user privileges, which are critical given the local access and user interaction requirements of this vulnerability.