CVE-2025-35969: Escalation of Privilege in Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software before version 16.0.12.within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software prior to version 16.0.12 arises from an uncontrolled search path in user applications running in Ring 3. An authenticated local user with limited privileges may exploit this condition to escalate privileges, although the attack complexity is high and requires active user interaction. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting local attack vector, high attack complexity, and partial impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability at the software level. The vulnerability does not affect cloud services and no vendor advisory or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability may allow an authenticated local user to escalate privileges on affected systems, potentially impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Intel Server Firmware Update Utility Software environment. However, the description indicates no direct impact on the overall system confidentiality, integrity, or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit local access to trusted users and avoid executing untrusted code with the affected software. Monitor Intel's advisories for updates regarding patches or mitigations.
CVE-2025-35969: Escalation of Privilege in Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software
Description
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software before version 16.0.12.within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
CVSS v4.0
Score 5.4medium
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software prior to version 16.0.12 arises from an uncontrolled search path in user applications running in Ring 3. An authenticated local user with limited privileges may exploit this condition to escalate privileges, although the attack complexity is high and requires active user interaction. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting local attack vector, high attack complexity, and partial impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability at the software level. The vulnerability does not affect cloud services and no vendor advisory or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability may allow an authenticated local user to escalate privileges on affected systems, potentially impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Intel Server Firmware Update Utility Software environment. However, the description indicates no direct impact on the overall system confidentiality, integrity, or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit local access to trusted users and avoid executing untrusted code with the affected software. Monitor Intel's advisories for updates regarding patches or mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- intel
- Date Reserved
- 2025-04-15T21:18:44.473Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a036569cbff5d861008d824
Added to database: 05/12/2026, 17:37:45 UTC
Last enriched: 05/12/2026, 17:53:48 UTC
Last updated: 07/07/2026, 10:33:19 UTC
Views: 41
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