CVE-2025-21086
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel 700 Series Ethernet drivers allows authenticated users to escalate privileges through improper input validation. It affects Linux systems using vulnerable Intel Ethernet hardware drivers. Attackers with local access could gain root privileges on affected systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel 700 Series Ethernet Controllers
⚠️ 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 root privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence establishment, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local authenticated users escalate to root privileges, compromising the affected system and potentially accessing sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized privilege escalation attempts that can be detected and blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access to the system. No public exploit code is currently known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.28.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01335.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check current driver version. 2. Download updated driver from Intel. 3. Install updated driver package. 4. Reboot system to load new driver.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user access
linuxLimit local user accounts and implement least privilege principles to reduce attack surface
Disable affected hardware
linuxTemporarily disable Intel 700 Series Ethernet controllers if not essential
sudo modprobe -r ixgbe
sudo echo 'blacklist ixgbe' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
- Isolate affected systems from critical network segments and implement network segmentation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version with: modinfo ixgbe | grep versionCheck Version:
modinfo ixgbe | grep versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is 2.28.5 or later: modinfo ixgbe | grep version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Driver loading/unloading anomalies
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful privilege changes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from previously low-privilege accounts
- Anomalous internal lateral movement
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "ixgbe" AND ("privilege" OR "escalation" OR "access denied")