CVE-2025-32001 is a vulnerability identified in the Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility prior to version 8.0.43. The flaw stems from an uncontrolled search path within user applications executing in Ring 3 (user mode), which can be exploited by a local authenticated user to escalate privileges. The vulnerability requires a high complexity attack and active user interaction, indicating that exploitation is non-trivial and likely involves tricking the user into executing malicious code or manipulating the environment to load unauthorized binaries. The escalation of privilege could allow an attacker to gain higher system privileges than originally granted, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system at a high level. However, the attack scope is limited to local access with authenticated users, and no network-based exploitation is indicated. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H) reflects these conditions, showing that the attack requires local access, high complexity, partial privileges, and user interaction, but results in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links are provided in the data, but upgrading to version 8.0.43 or later is implied as the remediation. This vulnerability is significant for environments where the Intel utility is deployed and where local user accounts have some level of access, such as enterprise endpoints or diagnostic environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where the Intel Processor Identification Utility is installed and used, such as IT departments, hardware diagnostics, and endpoint management. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with local authenticated access to escalate privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system configuration changes, or disruption of services. This could impact confidentiality by exposing sensitive information, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by enabling denial-of-service conditions. Given the requirement for local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant in scenarios involving insider threats, compromised user accounts, or social engineering attacks. Organizations with large numbers of Intel-based systems, especially those relying on this utility for hardware management, may face increased risk. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivial, it should be addressed to prevent attackers from leveraging it as part of a multi-stage attack chain. Failure to mitigate could lead to lateral movement within networks and escalation to higher privilege levels, complicating incident response and remediation efforts.

1. Immediately update the Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility to version 8.0.43 or later, where the vulnerability is resolved. 2. Restrict local user privileges to the minimum necessary, preventing users from installing or executing unauthorized software. 3. Implement application whitelisting and enforce strict control over executable search paths to prevent loading of malicious binaries. 4. Educate users about the risks of executing untrusted applications and the importance of avoiding suspicious interactions that could trigger the vulnerability. 5. Monitor local system logs and behavior for unusual privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized modifications related to the Intel utility. 6. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous activity associated with privilege escalation. 7. Regularly audit installed software versions across the organization to ensure compliance with security updates. 8. Limit physical and remote access to systems where the Intel utility is installed to reduce the risk of local exploitation. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and complicate exploitation attempts beyond the inherent complexity of the vulnerability.