CVE-2025-20052: Intel Graphics Software DoS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-20052 Overview

CVE-2025-20052 is an improper access control vulnerability [CWE-284] affecting Intel Graphics software. An authenticated local user can exploit the flaw to trigger a denial-of-service condition on the affected system. The issue requires local access and low privileges, and no user interaction is needed for exploitation.

Intel documented the flaw in Intel Security Advisory SA-01259. The vulnerability does not permit remote exploitation, code execution, or confidentiality impact based on the published CVSS vector.

Critical Impact
An authenticated local attacker can disrupt Intel Graphics software availability, potentially crashing graphics services or the host system on affected endpoints and workstations.

Affected Products

Intel Graphics software (see Intel SA-01259 for specific versions)
Systems with Intel Graphics drivers and supporting components installed
Endpoints and workstations using affected Intel Graphics software packages

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-13 - CVE-2025-20052 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-20052

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper access control [CWE-284] in Intel Graphics software components. Access checks fail to properly restrict which authenticated users can invoke or interact with specific interfaces exposed by the software. An authenticated local user can reach code paths that should be restricted to higher-privileged contexts.

The primary impact is availability. Successful exploitation can crash graphics processes, halt driver operations, or otherwise render graphics functionality unusable until the system or affected service restarts. Confidentiality is not affected, and integrity impact is limited according to the published CVSS 4.0 vector.

Exploitation requires local access and a valid low-privileged account. Remote or unauthenticated exploitation is not possible. There are no public proof-of-concept exploits, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient authorization enforcement within Intel Graphics software interfaces. Privileged operations exposed to lower-privileged callers allow an authenticated user to perform actions that should require elevated permissions, leading to a denial-of-service condition.

Attack Vector

An authenticated local user with standard privileges interacts with a vulnerable Intel Graphics software interface on the target machine. The interaction triggers the access control weakness, causing service disruption. No user interaction from a second user or administrator is required. See the Intel Security Advisory SA-01259 for vendor-provided technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-20052

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or restarts of Intel Graphics driver processes and related services on affected endpoints
Repeated graphics subsystem errors in Windows Event Log or kernel logs correlated with a specific local user session
Unusual invocations of Intel Graphics software interfaces by non-administrative users

Detection Strategies

Monitor system and application event logs for graphics driver faults, hangs, or repeated recovery events
Correlate graphics subsystem failures with the authenticated user context that initiated the calls
Track installed Intel Graphics software versions across the fleet and flag hosts running versions listed as affected in Intel SA-01259

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on repeated Intel Graphics service crashes originating from a single local user session
Baseline normal graphics driver behavior to detect anomalous local API invocations
Include Intel Graphics software versions in endpoint inventory and vulnerability reporting workflows

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-20052

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all endpoints running Intel Graphics software and cross-reference installed versions against Intel Security Advisory SA-01259
Apply Intel-provided updates to affected Intel Graphics software packages as soon as they are available
Restrict local access on shared workstations and multi-user systems to trusted users only

Patch Information

Intel published fixed versions in Intel Security Advisory SA-01259. Administrators should follow the advisory to obtain the corrected Intel Graphics software builds and deploy them through standard driver and software update channels.

Workarounds

Limit interactive local logon rights on affected systems to reduce the pool of users able to trigger the flaw
Enforce least-privilege access policies and remove unnecessary local accounts from affected hosts
Where feasible, disable or restrict Intel Graphics software components that are not required for business operations until patches are deployed

bash

# Example: audit installed Intel Graphics driver version on Windows
Get-CimInstance Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object { $_.DeviceName -like "*Intel*Graphics*" } | Select-Object DeviceName, DriverVersion, DriverDate