CVE-2025-14599: Altera Quartus Prime Path Vulnerability

CVE-2025-14599 Overview

CVE-2025-14599 is an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability affecting the Altera Quartus Prime Standard and Quartus Prime Lite installers (SFX) on Windows. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform Search Order Hijacking, potentially allowing local code execution through malicious DLL placement in directories searched by the installer during execution.

Critical Impact

Local attackers with limited privileges can hijack the DLL search order during installation to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the target system during the Quartus Prime installation process.

Affected Products

• Altera Quartus Prime Standard Installer (SFX) on Windows - versions 23.1 through 24.1
• Altera Quartus Prime Lite Installer (SFX) on Windows - versions 23.1 through 24.1

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE CVE-2025-14599 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14599

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element), where the Altera Quartus Prime installers fail to properly control the search path used to locate DLL files during execution. When the self-extracting (SFX) installer runs on Windows systems, it searches for required DLLs in multiple directories following the standard Windows DLL search order. If an attacker can place a malicious DLL in a directory that is searched before the legitimate location, the installer will load and execute the attacker-controlled code.

The attack requires local access and some user interaction, as the attacker must position the malicious DLL file before the victim runs the installer. This is particularly concerning in scenarios where installers are downloaded to user-writable directories like the Downloads folder, where an attacker may have already planted malicious DLLs.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the installer's failure to use absolute paths or safe DLL loading practices when loading dependent libraries. The Windows DLL search order typically includes the current working directory, which can be manipulated by attackers. The Quartus Prime SFX installers do not implement recommended mitigations such as using SetDllDirectory("") to remove the current directory from the search path or explicitly specifying full paths for DLL loads.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the target system. An attacker must place a maliciously crafted DLL with a specific name in a directory that will be searched before the legitimate DLL location. Common attack scenarios include:

The attacker places a malicious DLL in the same directory where the installer executable is located, such as the user's Downloads folder. When the victim downloads and executes the Quartus Prime installer from this location, the malicious DLL is loaded instead of the legitimate system DLL, resulting in code execution within the context of the installer process.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14599

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected DLL files appearing in user-writable directories alongside installer executables
• DLL files with common system library names (e.g., version.dll, dwmapi.dll) located in download or temporary folders
• Process execution anomalies where the Quartus installer spawns unexpected child processes or network connections

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for DLL loading events from the Quartus Prime installer process that originate from non-standard directories
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized DLL execution
• Use endpoint detection solutions to identify suspicious DLL sideloading patterns during software installation
• Review Windows Event Logs for process creation events associated with installer execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Sysmon logging with configuration to capture DLL load events (Event ID 7) for installer processes
• Configure file integrity monitoring on common download directories to detect suspicious DLL placement
• Implement behavioral analysis rules to detect DLL hijacking patterns during installation workflows

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14599

Immediate Actions Required

• Download Quartus Prime installers only from official Altera sources and verify file integrity before execution
• Move installer executables to a clean, administrator-controlled directory before running them
• Clear all non-essential files from the directory containing the installer prior to execution
• Review and apply the latest security updates from Altera for Quartus Prime products

Patch Information

Altera has published security advisory ASA-0005 addressing this vulnerability. Users should consult this advisory for the latest patched versions and detailed remediation guidance. Upgrade to Quartus Prime versions beyond 24.1 where the vulnerability has been addressed.

Workarounds

• Execute the installer from a newly created, empty directory rather than the default Downloads folder
• Run the installer with a standard user account rather than with administrative privileges when possible
• Use endpoint protection software with DLL hijacking detection capabilities during installation
• Consider using the web-based installer or alternative installation methods if available from Altera

# Configuration example
# Create a clean directory for installation to prevent DLL hijacking
mkdir C:\SecureInstall
# Move the installer to the clean directory
move "%USERPROFILE%\Downloads\QuartusPrimeInstaller.exe" C:\SecureInstall\
# Navigate to the clean directory and run the installer
cd C:\SecureInstall
QuartusPrimeInstaller.exe