CVE-2025-26470 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Intel(R) Distribution for Python software installers prior to version 2025.1.0. The root cause is incorrect default permissions set on some installer components, which can be exploited by an authenticated local user to escalate privileges. Specifically, the vulnerability allows a user with limited privileges (low-level privileges) who has local access to the system to potentially gain higher privileges than intended. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), privileges required are low (PR:L), and user interaction is required (UI:A). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H), meaning that successful exploitation could lead to significant compromise of system security. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links are provided in the source data, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed as of August 12, 2025. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where Intel Distribution for Python is used, especially in development or production systems that rely on these installers for Python package management or deployment. The incorrect permissions likely allow modification or replacement of critical installer files or components, enabling privilege escalation attacks. Since the attack requires local authenticated access and user interaction, remote exploitation is not feasible, but insider threats or compromised low-privilege accounts could leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-26470 can be significant in environments where Intel Distribution for Python is deployed, such as research institutions, software development companies, and enterprises relying on Python for automation or data processing. Escalation of privilege vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of critical system components, and potential disruption of services. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, exploitation could result in data breaches, tampering with software supply chains, or disruption of operational technology. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits the threat primarily to insider threats or attackers who have already compromised low-privilege accounts, but once exploited, the attacker could gain administrative control, facilitating lateral movement and persistence within the network. This elevates the risk profile for organizations with less stringent internal access controls or those lacking robust endpoint security monitoring. The vulnerability also poses risks to cloud environments or virtualized infrastructures in Europe where Intel Distribution for Python installers are used within virtual machines or containers, as privilege escalation could lead to broader compromise of cloud resources.

1. Immediate upgrade to Intel Distribution for Python version 2025.1.0 or later, where the permission issues have been corrected. 2. Implement strict local access controls and limit the number of users with authenticated local access to systems running affected installers. 3. Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring on installer directories and files to detect unauthorized changes. 4. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and unusual user behavior. 5. Enforce the principle of least privilege for all user accounts, ensuring that users only have the minimum permissions necessary for their roles. 6. Conduct regular audits of file and directory permissions on systems where Intel Distribution for Python is installed to identify and remediate insecure configurations. 7. Educate users about the risks of privilege escalation and the importance of reporting suspicious activity promptly. 8. In virtualized or cloud environments, apply additional isolation and segmentation controls to limit the impact of potential privilege escalations. 9. Monitor vendor advisories for patches or updates related to this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available.