CVE-2025-13669
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing malicious DLLs in directories searched by the Altera High Level Synthesis Compiler on Windows. It affects users running the compiler on Windows systems with versions 19.1 through 24.3.
💻 Affected Systems
- Altera High Level Synthesis Compiler
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the compiler, potentially leading to data theft, system takeover, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or execution of malicious payloads when users run the compiler from untrusted directories or with malicious files present.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if users only run the compiler from trusted directories with proper file permissions and security controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Search order hijacking is a well-known attack pattern. Exploitation requires local access to place malicious DLLs in search paths.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 24.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.altera.com/security/security-advisory/asa-0003
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download the latest version (24.4+) from Intel/Altera website. 2. Uninstall the vulnerable version. 3. Install the patched version. 4. Verify the installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search paths
windowsUse Windows policies or application settings to restrict DLL search paths to trusted directories only.
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'SafeDllSearchMode' -Value 1
Use absolute paths
allAlways run the compiler using absolute paths from trusted directories.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user permissions to prevent placing files in compiler search directories
- Monitor for suspicious DLL loading events using Windows Event Log or security tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the compiler version: Run 'hls --version' or check the installed program version in Windows Add/Remove Programs.Check Version:
hls --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version is 24.4 or later using 'hls --version' command.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event ID 4688 (process creation) for hls.exe loading DLLs from unusual paths
- Sysmon Event ID 7 (image loaded) showing DLLs loaded by hls.exe
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local file system attack
SIEM Query:
source="windows" EventID=4688 OR EventID=7 Image="*hls.exe" | search DLL="*"