CVE-2025-21086 in 700 Series Ethernet
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
Improper input validation in the Linux kernel-mode driver for some Intel(R) 700 Series Ethernet before version 2.28.5 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21086 represents a critical security flaw within the Linux kernel-mode driver component of Intel's 700 Series Ethernet hardware. This issue affects systems where the driver fails to properly validate input parameters, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's privilege escalation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess legitimate access to the system, making it particularly concerning as it leverages existing user credentials to gain elevated privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel-mode driver code responsible for managing Intel 700 Series Ethernet hardware functionality. When the driver receives input data from user-space applications or system processes, it does not sufficiently verify the integrity, format, or boundaries of this data before processing. This failure in input validation creates opportunities for buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitation vectors that can be manipulated by an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness that can lead to various privilege escalation scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Intel 700 Series Ethernet hardware is deployed. The authenticated privilege escalation capability means that an attacker with legitimate user access could potentially elevate their privileges to root or kernel level, enabling them to bypass system security controls, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or install persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning in multi-user environments or systems where users have legitimate administrative access, as the vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized control over critical network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of networked systems, as outlined in the CIA triad framework.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user context, which means that attackers must first establish a foothold within the system through other means. However, once the privilege escalation is achieved, the attacker gains unrestricted access to all system resources and can potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions with Intel 700 Series Ethernet drivers prior to version 2.28.5, making it crucial for system administrators to monitor and update their driver installations. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation is limited only by the time required for attackers to identify and develop working exploits. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of kernel-mode exploits to gain elevated system privileges. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive system logging to support forensic analysis if the vulnerability is successfully exploited.