CVE-2025-30509
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel QuickAssist Technology software allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges through improper input validation. It affects systems running Intel QAT software versions before 2.6.0. The vulnerability enables data manipulation but doesn't affect confidentiality or availability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Authenticated attacker gains elevated privileges to manipulate system data, potentially modifying critical files or configurations.
Likely Case
Local authenticated user exploits the vulnerability to modify application data or gain unauthorized access to restricted functions.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to isolated data manipulation within the QAT application context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated local access and low complexity attack according to CVSS metrics.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01373.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel QAT software version 2.6.0 or later from Intel's website. 2. Stop all QAT services. 3. Install the updated software package. 4. Restart the system. 5. Verify the new version is active.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local Access
allLimit local user access to systems running Intel QAT software to reduce attack surface.
Monitor QAT Processes
allImplement monitoring for unusual QAT process activity or privilege escalation attempts.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit which users can interact with QAT software
- Deploy application control solutions to restrict execution of QAT binaries to authorized processes only
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel QAT software version using 'qat_service -v' or examine installed packages for versions below 2.6.0.Check Version:
qat_service -v 2>&1 | grep -i versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is 2.6.0 or higher using version check command and ensure no privilege escalation attempts are detected.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts in system logs
- QAT service errors or crashes
- Authentication events from unexpected users
Network Indicators:
- Local privilege escalation typically has no network indicators
SIEM Query:
source="system_logs" AND (event_type="privilege_escalation" OR process_name="qat*")