CVE-2025-21093 in Driver & Support Assistant Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
Uncontrolled search path element for some Intel(R) Driver & Support Assistant Tool software before version 24.6.49.8 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21093 affects the Intel Driver & Support Assistant Tool software, representing a significant security flaw that could be exploited by authenticated users with local access to escalate their privileges. This issue stems from an uncontrolled search path element within the software's implementation, which creates opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the system's execution flow. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the tool prior to 24.6.49.8, indicating that organizations running older iterations of this software remain at risk. The nature of the flaw suggests that the application does not properly validate or sanitize the search paths used during execution, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code or libraries into the system's execution environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's handling of dynamic library loading or executable path resolution. When the Intel Driver & Support Assistant Tool processes certain operations, it may traverse search paths that are not properly constrained or validated. This behavior creates a potential attack surface where an authenticated user could manipulate the environment variables or directory structures to redirect the tool's execution to malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path elements, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector through path manipulation. Attackers could exploit this by placing malicious binaries or libraries in directories that are searched before legitimate system directories, effectively hijacking the tool's execution flow during privilege escalation attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-21093 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a foundational security weakness that could enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. An authenticated local user who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain elevated privileges that would allow them to modify system configurations, install additional malicious software, or access sensitive data that would otherwise be protected. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users have local access to systems running the affected software. The low barrier to exploitation, requiring only local authentication, means that even relatively casual attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, making it a valuable vector for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or move laterally within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-21093 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of the Intel Driver & Support Assistant Tool, specifically version 24.6.49.8 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates promptly. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting local user privileges, monitoring for unauthorized changes to system directories, and employing application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when dealing with dynamic path resolution in system tools. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential search path vulnerabilities within their software ecosystem, as similar flaws may exist in other applications or system components. Organizations should review their current security posture to ensure that local access controls are properly configured and that users have only the minimum necessary privileges required for their legitimate operations.