CVE-2025-20050
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel CIP software allows local attackers to escalate privileges via DLL hijacking. Attackers with authenticated access can execute arbitrary code with higher privileges through a complex attack requiring user interaction. Only systems running vulnerable Intel CIP software versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel(R) CIP software
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining SYSTEM/root privileges, installing persistent malware, accessing sensitive data, and controlling the entire system.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install additional tools, and access restricted resources on the compromised machine.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to required user interaction and complex attack chain; proper endpoint protection may detect and block exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated user, local access, user interaction, and complex attack chain; no public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: WIN_DCA_2.4.0.11001 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01328.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest Intel CIP software from Intel website. 2. Uninstall current version. 3. Install WIN_DCA_2.4.0.11001 or later. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search path
windowsConfigure Windows to restrict DLL search paths and prevent loading from untrusted directories
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v SafeDllSearchMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v CWDIllegalInDllSearch /t REG_DWORD /d 0xffffffff /f
Remove vulnerable software
windowsUninstall Intel CIP software if not required for operations
appwiz.cpl
Select 'Intel CIP software' and click Uninstall
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables
- Enable Windows Defender Application Control or similar endpoint protection with DLL hijacking detection
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel CIP software version in Control Panel > Programs and Features or run: wmic product where "name like '%Intel CIP%'" get versionCheck Version:
wmic product where "name like '%Intel CIP%'" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is WIN_DCA_2.4.0.11001 or later using same version check command📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing DLL loading from unusual paths
- Process creation events for unexpected executables with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from system processes post-exploitation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (NewProcessName LIKE '%powershell.exe%' OR NewProcessName LIKE '%cmd.exe%') AND SubjectUserName NOT IN (allowed_users) AND ParentProcessName LIKE '%IntelCIP%'