CVE-2025-20043
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel RealSense SDK allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges by manipulating the DLL search path. It affects systems running vulnerable versions of Intel RealSense SDK software where an attacker has local access.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel RealSense SDK
⚠️ 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 gains SYSTEM/root privileges on the affected system, enabling complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Local authenticated user elevates to administrator privileges to install malware, access sensitive data, or modify system configurations.
If Mitigated
With proper privilege separation and application control, impact limited to user-level access without escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires placing malicious DLL in search path location accessible to the user.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.56.2
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01305.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel RealSense SDK 2.56.2 or later from Intel website. 2. Uninstall previous version. 3. Install new version. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search path
allConfigure system to restrict DLL search path to trusted directories only
Windows: Use Group Policy to set SafeDllSearchMode
Linux: Set LD_LIBRARY_PATH to trusted directories only
Application control
allUse application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized DLL loading
Windows: Configure AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control
Linux: Use SELinux/AppArmor policies
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement least privilege - ensure users don't have write access to DLL search path directories
- Monitor for suspicious DLL loading events and file creation in application directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel RealSense SDK version - if below 2.56.2, vulnerable.Check Version:
Windows: Check program version in Control Panel. Linux: Check package version with package manager.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Intel RealSense SDK version is 2.56.2 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- DLL loading from unusual locations
- Process creation with elevated privileges from RealSense processes
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent process contains 'realsense' and privilege level changes