CVE-2025-24918
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a link following vulnerability in Intel Server Configuration Utility and Server Firmware Update Utility that allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges. Attackers can exploit improper symlink resolution to gain higher system access when users run these utilities. Only systems with these specific Intel utilities installed are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Server Configuration Utility
- Intel Server Firmware Update Utility
⚠️ 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
Authenticated attacker gains full system control (root/admin) through privilege escalation, compromising all data and system integrity.
Likely Case
Local authenticated user with basic privileges escalates to administrator/system-level access to modify configurations or install malware.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and patching, risk is limited to authorized users only, preventing unauthorized privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated user, local access, and user interaction with high complexity attack.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 16.0.12 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01400.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel Server Configuration Utility/Server Firmware Update Utility version 16.0.12 or later from Intel support site
2. Stop any running instances of the utilities
3. Install the updated version following Intel's installation guide
4. Restart the system to ensure changes take effect
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict utility execution
allLimit which users can execute the vulnerable Intel utilities through file permissions or group policies
chmod 750 /path/to/intel-utility (Linux)
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\utility.exe" /deny Users:F (Windows)
Disable unnecessary utilities
allUninstall or disable Intel Server Configuration Utility and Server Firmware Update Utility if not required
sudo apt remove intel-server-utils (Linux)
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall (Windows)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who can run the Intel utilities
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and file access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check installed version of Intel Server Configuration Utility or Server Firmware Update UtilityCheck Version:
intel-config-util --version (Linux) or check Programs list in WindowsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 16.0.12 or higher after update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Intel utility execution by non-admin users
- Symlink creation in sensitive directories
Network Indicators:
- Local privilege escalation typically has no network indicators
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%intel%' AND NewIntegrityLevel>Medium