CVE-2025-6398 is a null pointer dereference vulnerability identified in the IOMap64.sys driver component of ASUS AI Suite 3, specifically affecting versions prior to v3.03.42. This vulnerability arises when the driver processes a specially crafted input that leads to dereferencing a null pointer, causing the system to crash with a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476, which pertains to null pointer dereference issues that can cause denial of service conditions. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L) but high privileges (PR:H) to exploit, with no user interaction (UI:N) needed. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability beyond causing a system crash (VA:H), and it does not propagate beyond the local system (scope unchanged). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability is significant because ASUS AI Suite 3 is a widely used utility for managing ASUS hardware features on Windows systems, and the IOMap64.sys driver operates at the kernel level, meaning a crash can disrupt system availability and potentially lead to data loss or operational downtime. Since the vulnerability requires high privileges to exploit, it is less likely to be exploited remotely but could be leveraged by malicious insiders or malware that has already gained elevated access. The lack of user interaction and the local attack vector suggest that once high privileges are obtained, triggering the crash is straightforward. ASUS has published a security advisory recommending updating to version 3.03.42 or later to mitigate this issue.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-6398 is the potential for denial of service through system crashes on machines running vulnerable versions of ASUS AI Suite 3. This can disrupt business operations, especially in environments where ASUS hardware and AI Suite software are used extensively for system management, monitoring, or overclocking. Critical systems relying on ASUS hardware management may experience unexpected downtime, leading to productivity loss and potential data corruption if crashes occur during critical operations. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can be significant in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and public services where system uptime is crucial. Additionally, the requirement for high privileges to exploit means that the threat is more relevant in scenarios where insider threats or malware with elevated rights are present. European organizations with strict regulatory requirements around system availability and incident response may face compliance challenges if such disruptions occur. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits in the future.

To mitigate CVE-2025-6398, European organizations should prioritize updating ASUS AI Suite 3 to version 3.03.42 or later, as provided by ASUS security advisories. Organizations should implement strict privilege management to limit administrative access only to trusted personnel and systems, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized execution of malicious code that could trigger the vulnerability. Regularly audit and monitor systems for unusual activity, particularly on endpoints running ASUS AI Suite 3, to detect potential exploitation attempts early. In environments where ASUS AI Suite is not essential, consider uninstalling or disabling the software to eliminate exposure. Additionally, implement robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize operational impact in case of system crashes. Network segmentation can also help contain potential impacts if compromised systems exist. Finally, maintain awareness of ASUS security advisories for any updates or patches related to this vulnerability.