CVE-2025-24918 is an escalation of privilege vulnerability identified in Intel Server Configuration Utility and Intel Server Firmware Update Utility software versions prior to 16.0.12. The vulnerability stems from improper link resolution before file access, commonly referred to as 'link following,' which occurs within Ring 3 user applications. This flaw allows a local authenticated user with low privileges to perform a high complexity attack that can escalate their privileges on the system. The attack requires active user interaction and local access, meaning an adversary must already have some level of access and convince or trick a user to perform an action. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level, potentially allowing an attacker to compromise sensitive data, alter system configurations, or disrupt server operations. The CVSS 4.0 score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting the requirement for local access, high attack complexity, and user interaction. No special internal knowledge is required, but the attack is non-trivial. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments relying on Intel server management utilities for firmware updates and configuration, as successful exploitation could undermine the trustworthiness of server firmware and configurations. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the risk remains significant given the critical role of these utilities in server management.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24918 could be substantial, especially for those operating data centers, cloud infrastructure, or critical enterprise servers using Intel hardware and management utilities. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, enabling attackers to manipulate server configurations, deploy malicious firmware updates, or disrupt availability. This could compromise sensitive data confidentiality, integrity of system configurations, and availability of critical services. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds. Organizations in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, government, and cloud service providers are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on Intel server management tools and the critical nature of their infrastructure. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks and elevate privileges to compromise broader systems, increasing the potential for significant operational disruption and data breaches.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24918, European organizations should immediately update Intel Server Configuration Utility and Intel Server Firmware Update Utility software to version 16.0.12 or later, where the vulnerability is resolved. Implement strict access controls to limit local access to trusted administrators only, reducing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized users. Employ multi-factor authentication and robust user training to minimize the risk of social engineering or inadvertent user interaction that could trigger the exploit. Monitor system logs and user activities for unusual behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious file access patterns or link-following anomalies. Regularly audit server management utilities and firmware update processes to ensure integrity and detect unauthorized changes. Finally, maintain an up-to-date asset inventory to quickly identify and remediate vulnerable systems across the organization.