CVE-2025-20017
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel oneAPI Toolkit installers allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges by manipulating the search path. It affects systems where Intel oneAPI Toolkit or components are installed, requiring local access and authentication to exploit.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel oneAPI Toolkit
- Intel oneAPI Base Toolkit
- Intel oneAPI HPC Toolkit
- Intel oneAPI IoT Toolkit
- Intel oneAPI AI Analytics Toolkit
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker could gain SYSTEM/root privileges on the affected system, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, and persistence.
Likely Case
Privileged local users could escalate to higher privileges, potentially bypassing security controls and accessing sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and least privilege principles, impact is limited to authorized users within their designated privilege levels.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated local access and knowledge of the system. Exploitation involves DLL hijacking or path manipulation techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Intel oneAPI Toolkit 2025.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01285.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download Intel oneAPI Toolkit 2025.0 or later from Intel's official website. 2. Run the installer with administrative privileges. 3. Follow the installation wizard to update all components. 4. Verify installation completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict installer execution permissions
allLimit who can run Intel oneAPI installers to prevent unauthorized path manipulation
Implement application whitelisting
allUse application control solutions to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege access controls to limit who can run installers
- Monitor for suspicious process execution and DLL loading events related to Intel oneAPI components
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check installed Intel oneAPI Toolkit version. If version is earlier than 2025.0, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Linux: dpkg -l | grep intel-oneapi or rpm -qa | grep intel-oneapi. On Windows: Check Programs and Features or run 'wmic product get name,version'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Intel oneAPI Toolkit version is 2025.0 or later. Check that installer processes no longer load DLLs from untrusted paths.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation events for Intel oneAPI installers loading DLLs from unusual paths
- Failed DLL loading attempts from non-standard locations
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
Process creation where (process_name contains 'oneapi' OR process_path contains 'Intel') AND (dll_loaded_from contains 'temp' OR dll_loaded_from contains 'users')