CVE-2025-20071 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2025
NULL pointer dereference for some Intel(R) Graphics Drivers may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within Intel graphics drivers that could be exploited by authenticated users to achieve denial of service conditions. The issue manifests when specific driver functions attempt to access memory locations without proper validation of pointer values, creating a scenario where a null pointer is dereferenced during legitimate graphics processing operations. The vulnerability specifically affects Intel graphics driver implementations and requires local system access with valid user credentials to exploit effectively.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves driver components responsible for graphics processing and memory management where null pointer validation is insufficient during routine operations. When an authenticated user triggers specific graphics workloads or driver functions, the system attempts to access a null pointer reference, causing an immediate system crash or hang condition. This behavior aligns with common software security vulnerabilities classified under CWE-476 which deals with null pointer dereference conditions, and represents a direct violation of proper memory safety practices in kernel-level graphics drivers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems running affected Intel graphics drivers as it allows authenticated local users to disrupt normal system operations without requiring elevated privileges beyond standard user accounts. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially affecting the entire graphics subsystem, making the system unusable for graphical operations until manual intervention or system reboot occurs. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to repeatedly cause system instability, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where system uptime and reliability are paramount.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in various ATT&CK frameworks under techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service. While the initial access requires authentication, the impact can cascade to broader system instability and service disruption. Organizations should consider implementing immediate driver updates from Intel as the primary mitigation strategy, alongside monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts and establishing incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also review access controls and user permissions to minimize potential attack surfaces, while security teams should monitor for any reported exploitation attempts in the wild or within threat intelligence feeds.