CVE-2025-20622 identifies an information disclosure vulnerability in Intel Neural Processing Unit (NPU) drivers for Windows, specifically versions before 32.0.100.4023. The flaw stems from the failure to clear sensitive information from memory resources before they are released and reused within Ring 3, the user application layer. This residual data exposure can be exploited by an unprivileged, authenticated local user through a low-complexity attack that does not require user interaction or special internal knowledge. The vulnerability is confined to local access scenarios, meaning remote exploitation is not feasible. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no integrity or availability consequences, as the leaked information could potentially expose sensitive data but does not allow modification or disruption of system operations. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and low confidentiality impact, resulting in an overall low severity score of 2.0. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active targeting. The vulnerability affects Intel NPU drivers used in Windows environments, which are typically deployed in systems leveraging AI acceleration capabilities. The issue was publicly disclosed in November 2025, with Intel assigning the CVE and publishing details. Mitigation primarily involves updating to driver version 32.0.100.4023 or later, which addresses the memory clearing issue. Additional controls include restricting local access to trusted users and monitoring for suspicious local activity. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is unlikely to be exploited remotely or by unauthenticated users, reducing its overall risk profile.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-20622 is the potential exposure of sensitive information residing in memory buffers managed by Intel NPU drivers. Although the confidentiality impact is rated low, any leakage of sensitive data could have compliance implications under regulations such as GDPR, especially if personal or proprietary information is involved. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, organizations with high-value AI workloads or sensitive data processed via Intel NPU-enabled systems should consider the risk more seriously. The requirement for local authenticated access limits the attack surface to insiders or compromised user accounts, emphasizing the importance of strong endpoint security and access controls. Since the vulnerability is in a driver component, it may affect a range of Windows-based devices including desktops, laptops, and servers that utilize Intel NPUs. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate future risk, particularly as attackers may develop techniques to leverage this flaw. Overall, the impact is moderate for organizations with relevant hardware and sensitive data, and low for others.

1. Immediately update Intel NPU drivers to version 32.0.100.4023 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict local access controls to limit authenticated user access to trusted personnel only, reducing the risk of insider threats exploiting the vulnerability. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual local activity that could indicate attempts to exploit memory disclosure. 4. Conduct regular audits of user privileges and remove unnecessary local accounts or restrict their permissions to minimize the attack surface. 5. Use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software from running locally, which could attempt to exploit the vulnerability. 6. Educate users about the importance of safeguarding their credentials and the risks of local exploitation. 7. For highly sensitive environments, consider isolating systems with Intel NPUs or limiting their use to reduce exposure. 8. Maintain up-to-date inventory of hardware and drivers to quickly identify and remediate vulnerable systems. 9. Monitor Intel security advisories for any updates or emerging exploit information related to this CVE. 10. Integrate vulnerability management processes to ensure timely patch deployment and verification.