CVE-2026-20718: Escalation of Privilege in Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers
Incorrect default permissions for some Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers before version 32.0.100.4511 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged 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 arises from incorrect default permissions in Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers prior to version 32.0.100.4511. An unprivileged user with authenticated access and local system access may exploit this issue to escalate privileges, though the attack requires high complexity and active user interaction. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting local attack vector, high attack complexity, and required privileges and user interaction. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the vulnerable system context but does not extend beyond it. No official remediation level or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an authenticated local user to escalate privileges on the affected system, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system components related to the Intel NPU Driver software installers. However, the attack complexity is high and requires active user interaction, limiting the likelihood of exploitation. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit local user access to trusted users only and avoid executing untrusted software installers. Monitor Intel's advisories for updates regarding patches or official mitigations.
CVE-2026-20718: Escalation of Privilege in Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers
Description
Incorrect default permissions for some Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers before version 32.0.100.4511 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged 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-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability arises from incorrect default permissions in Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers prior to version 32.0.100.4511. An unprivileged user with authenticated access and local system access may exploit this issue to escalate privileges, though the attack requires high complexity and active user interaction. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting local attack vector, high attack complexity, and required privileges and user interaction. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the vulnerable system context but does not extend beyond it. No official remediation level or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an authenticated local user to escalate privileges on the affected system, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system components related to the Intel NPU Driver software installers. However, the attack complexity is high and requires active user interaction, limiting the likelihood of exploitation. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit local user access to trusted users only and avoid executing untrusted software installers. Monitor Intel's advisories for updates regarding patches or official mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- intel
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-03T17:58:55.192Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a03656ccbff5d861008d8ca
Added to database: 5/12/2026, 5:37:48 PM
Last enriched: 5/12/2026, 5:52:50 PM
Last updated: 5/13/2026, 4:57:55 AM
Views: 5
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