CVE-2025-14605: Altera Quartus Prime Pro Path Hijacking

CVE-2025-14605 Overview

CVE-2025-14605 is an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability (CWE-427) affecting Altera Quartus Prime Pro on Windows systems. The vulnerability exists within the System Console modules and allows attackers to perform Search Order Hijacking attacks. This type of vulnerability occurs when an application loads dynamic libraries or executables from an insecure search path, enabling malicious actors to inject malicious code into the application's execution flow.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Quartus Prime Pro application, potentially leading to full system compromise on affected Windows workstations used for FPGA development.

Affected Products

• Altera Quartus Prime Pro versions 17.0 through 25.1.1
• Windows-based systems running affected Quartus Prime Pro versions
• System Console modules within Quartus Prime Pro

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE CVE-2025-14605 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14605

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper handling of the DLL search path in the Quartus Prime Pro System Console modules. When the application attempts to load dynamic-link libraries, it searches directories in a predefined order. If an attacker can place a malicious DLL in a directory that is searched before the legitimate system directories, the application will load the malicious library instead of the intended one.

The attack requires local access and user interaction, making it suitable for targeted attacks against FPGA developers and engineers who use Quartus Prime Pro for Intel/Altera FPGA design and development workflows. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the local system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-14605 is an Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427) in the Quartus Prime Pro System Console modules. The application does not properly restrict or validate the directories from which it loads DLL files, allowing the Windows loader to search attacker-controlled locations such as the current working directory or directories in the user's PATH environment variable before searching trusted system directories.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have access to the target system. Exploitation involves the following scenario:

An attacker places a maliciously crafted DLL with the same name as a legitimately required library in a directory that the application searches before the correct location. When a user launches Quartus Prime Pro or uses the System Console functionality, the application loads the malicious DLL, executing the attacker's code with the privileges of the running process. This attack is commonly executed by placing the malicious DLL in the same directory as project files that users may open.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14605

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected DLL files present in Quartus Prime Pro project directories or working directories
• Unusual DLL files with names matching system libraries in user-writable locations
• Process execution anomalies when launching Quartus Prime Pro or System Console modules
• Unexpected network connections or child processes spawned by quartus.exe or related executables

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for DLL loading events from non-standard directories using Windows Event Logging or Sysmon
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unsigned or untrusted DLLs
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect DLL search order hijacking attempts
• Audit file system changes in directories commonly used for Quartus Prime Pro projects

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable and monitor Windows Event ID 7045 (Service Installation) and DLL load events via Sysmon Event ID 7
• Configure SentinelOne to alert on suspicious DLL loading patterns in Quartus Prime Pro processes
• Implement file integrity monitoring on Quartus Prime Pro installation directories
• Monitor for creation of DLL files in user-writable directories adjacent to .qpf or .qsf project files

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14605

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Altera Quartus Prime Pro to the latest patched version beyond 25.1.1
• Review and restrict write permissions on directories where Quartus Prime Pro searches for DLLs
• Implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized DLL execution
• Educate users about the risks of opening project files from untrusted sources
• Consider running Quartus Prime Pro with reduced privileges where possible

Patch Information

Altera has acknowledged this vulnerability and released a security advisory. Organizations should consult the Altera Security Advisory ASA-0004 for official patch information and update to a version of Quartus Prime Pro that addresses this vulnerability. The affected versions span from 17.0 through 25.1.1.

Workarounds

• Configure the Windows SafeDllSearchMode registry setting to restrict DLL search paths
• Remove write permissions from the Quartus Prime Pro installation directory for non-administrator users
• Use the SetDllDirectory API or application manifests to control DLL search behavior if developing custom integrations
• Avoid opening Quartus Prime Pro project files from untrusted or network locations
• Implement strict user access controls on development workstations

# Registry configuration to enable SafeDllSearchMode (Windows)
# This removes the current working directory from the DLL search path
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v SafeDllSearchMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f