CVE-2025-21099 in Graphics Software
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2025
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Graphics software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2025
This vulnerability affects Intel graphics software components and represents a privilege escalation risk through insecure search path handling. The flaw exists in how the graphics software resolves library paths during execution, creating opportunities for malicious code injection. An authenticated user with local system access can exploit this weakness to elevate their privileges beyond normal user boundaries. The vulnerability stems from the software's failure to properly validate or sanitize the search path used when loading dynamic libraries, which aligns with common software security issues categorized under CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate system functionality to achieve unauthorized privilege escalation without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the graphics software's dynamic library loading mechanism where it searches for required libraries in a predetermined path sequence. When the system does not properly restrict or validate these search paths, an attacker can manipulate the environment to load malicious libraries instead of legitimate ones. This occurs because the software does not implement proper path validation or uses insecure default paths that may be writable by unprivileged users. The attack typically requires the user to have local login privileges and execute specific software components that are vulnerable to this search path manipulation. This attack vector falls under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to gain system-level access and potentially compromise the entire system. Once elevated, attackers can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive data, and perform other malicious activities that would otherwise be restricted to administrators. The vulnerability affects Intel graphics drivers and related software components that rely on insecure library loading practices. Organizations running affected Intel graphics software are at risk of unauthorized system compromise, particularly in environments where local access is not strictly controlled. The exploitability of this vulnerability is relatively high since it only requires local authentication and does not depend on network connectivity or complex attack chains. This makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where user access controls may not be sufficiently strict.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper path validation and secure library loading practices within the affected software components. System administrators should ensure that Intel graphics software is kept up to date with the latest security patches provided by Intel. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary software components, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized library loading activities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which libraries can be loaded by graphics software. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that the search paths used by graphics software do not include writable directories accessible to unprivileged users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the CWE guidelines for preventing insecure library loading and search path manipulation attacks. System hardening measures including secure boot configurations and privilege separation can further reduce the attack surface and potential impact of this vulnerability.