CVE-2025-24486 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 via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-24486 represents a critical security flaw within the Linux kernel-mode driver component of Intel(R) 700 Series Ethernet hardware. This issue affects systems where the Ethernet driver fails to properly validate input parameters, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users with local access to the affected systems, making it particularly concerning for environments where local user privileges may be compromised or where users have legitimate access to system resources. The flaw exists in the kernel-mode driver implementation which processes network-related inputs and commands, indicating that the issue stems from inadequate sanitization of data before processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security design. The flaw manifests when the kernel-mode driver receives input from local authenticated users without sufficient validation mechanisms to ensure data integrity and safety. This improper validation creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious inputs that can manipulate the driver's behavior in ways that bypass normal access controls and privilege boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation potential stems from the driver's kernel-mode execution context, where successful exploitation could result in full system compromise and elevated privileges beyond what the authenticated user should normally possess. The affected Intel 700 Series Ethernet drivers prior to version 2.28.5 demonstrate a failure in implementing robust input validation controls that would normally be expected in kernel-space code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable broader system compromise and persistent access. An authenticated local user who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root-level privileges, allowing them to execute arbitrary code, modify system files, install malicious software, or establish backdoors within the affected system. The local access requirement means that attackers must first obtain legitimate user credentials or find another means to gain access to the system before attempting exploitation, but once achieved, the potential for damage is significant. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems, potentially creating attack vectors for insider threats or compromised accounts. The kernel-mode nature of the flaw means that any successful exploitation bypasses standard user-space protections and security mechanisms, making detection and prevention more challenging for system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-24486 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to update the Intel 700 Series Ethernet driver to version 2.28.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should implement comprehensive access control measures to limit local user privileges and monitor for unusual system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that could indicate privilege escalation activities, particularly around kernel-mode driver operations. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation, underscores the importance of implementing layered security controls including regular system updates, access monitoring, and user behavior analytics to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as kernel hardening techniques, secure boot configurations, and regular vulnerability assessments to reduce the overall attack surface and prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components.