CVE-2025-27713 is a vulnerability identified in Intel(R) QuickAssist Technology (QAT) Windows software prior to version 2.6.0. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write occurring within Ring 3, which is the user application layer, allowing an authenticated user with local system software access to escalate privileges. The vulnerability requires a high complexity attack vector but does not need user interaction or special internal knowledge, indicating that a sophisticated attacker with local access could exploit it. The CVSS 4.0 score of 7.3 reflects its high severity, with attack vector being local (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no user interaction (UI:N), and requiring low privileges (PR:L). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level, meaning that exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, modification, or denial of service. Intel QAT is widely used to accelerate cryptographic operations, so a compromise could undermine cryptographic protections and system security. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the potential impact warrants immediate attention. The vulnerability does not require network access, limiting remote exploitation but increasing risk from insider threats or compromised local accounts. The lack of patch links in the provided data suggests organizations should monitor Intel advisories closely for updates.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27713 could be significant, especially in sectors relying on Intel QAT for cryptographic acceleration such as financial services, telecommunications, government, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could allow attackers with local access to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, tampering with system operations, or causing service disruptions. This could result in breaches of data protection regulations like GDPR, financial losses, reputational damage, and operational downtime. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means that both data and system reliability are at risk. Since the attack requires local access and high complexity, the threat is more pronounced in environments with multiple users or where insider threats are a concern. Organizations using Intel QAT in virtualized or cloud environments may also face risks if local access controls are insufficient. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

To mitigate CVE-2025-27713, European organizations should immediately identify all systems running Intel QAT Windows software versions prior to 2.6.0 and plan for prompt updates to version 2.6.0 or later once available. Until patches are applied, restrict local access to trusted and authenticated users only, employing strict access controls and monitoring for suspicious activity. Implement robust endpoint security solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation attempts. Conduct thorough audits of user privileges and remove unnecessary local accounts or permissions that could be leveraged by attackers. Employ application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of code that could exploit the vulnerability. Additionally, monitor Intel security advisories and threat intelligence feeds for updates or emerging exploit reports. For critical systems, consider isolating or segmenting vulnerable hosts to limit potential lateral movement. Finally, educate system administrators and security teams about the vulnerability and the importance of timely patching and access control enforcement.