CVE-2025-32001
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Processor Identification Utility before version 8.0.43 allows local authenticated attackers to escalate privileges via DLL hijacking in the application's search path. It affects users running vulnerable versions of the utility on Windows systems. Successful exploitation requires user interaction and local access.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Processor Identification 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
Attacker gains SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence installation, and disabling of security controls.
Likely Case
Local authenticated user elevates to administrator privileges to install malware, modify system settings, or access protected resources.
If Mitigated
Attack fails due to proper access controls, user awareness preventing interaction, or security software blocking suspicious DLL loads.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated user, local access, and user interaction. Attack complexity is high per CVSS description.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 8.0.43 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01334.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download Intel Processor Identification Utility version 8.0.43 or later from Intel's website. 2. Run the installer. 3. Follow installation prompts. 4. Verify successful update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable utility
windowsUninstall Intel Processor Identification Utility if not required
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Select Intel Processor Identification Utility > Uninstall
Restrict write permissions
windowsSet restrictive permissions on directories where utility searches for DLLs
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\Processor Identification Utility" /deny Users:(OI)(CI)W
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user permissions to prevent local authenticated access to vulnerable systems
- Implement application whitelisting to block execution of unauthorized DLLs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check installed version via Control Panel > Programs or run the utility and check About sectionCheck Version:
wmic product where name="Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 8.0.43 or later in program properties or About dialog📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation events for cpuz.exe with suspicious parent processes
- DLL load events from unexpected locations for cpuz.exe
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="*security*" AND (process_name="cpuz.exe" AND (parent_process!="explorer.exe" OR image_load_path!="C:\\Program Files\\Intel\\*"))