CVE-2025-22849: Intel Optane PMem Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-22849 Overview

CVE-2025-22849 is a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Intel Optane PMem (Persistent Memory) management software. The vulnerability stems from incorrect default permissions (CWE-276) within the Ring 3 user application layer, which could allow an authenticated local attacker to escalate privileges on affected systems.

Critical Impact

Local privilege escalation through incorrect file permissions could allow attackers with low-level access to gain elevated system privileges, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Affected Products

• Intel Optane PMem Management Software versions before CR_MGMT_01.00.00.3584
• Intel Optane PMem Management Software versions before CR_MGMT_02.00.00.4052
• Intel Optane PMem Management Software versions before CR_MGMT_03.00.00.0538

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-10 - CVE-2025-22849 published to NVD
• 2026-02-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-22849

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability resides in the Intel Optane PMem management software's permission handling mechanism within the Ring 3 (user space) application layer. The software fails to properly configure default permissions on critical resources, creating a window for privilege escalation attacks.

The attack requires local access to the system and an authenticated user account with low privileges. However, the attack complexity is considered high, requiring specific attack conditions to be present and active user interaction. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can result in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the vulnerable system.

The vulnerability does not extend its impact to subsequent systems, meaning the blast radius is limited to the initially compromised component.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-22849 is CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions. The Intel Optane PMem management software does not properly restrict permissions on files, directories, or other resources during installation or runtime. This misconfiguration allows unprivileged users to access or modify resources that should be protected, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

Incorrect default permissions are a common configuration vulnerability where software fails to apply the principle of least privilege during deployment, leaving critical system components accessible to unauthorized users.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning an attacker must have some level of authenticated access to the target system. The exploitation path involves:

1. An attacker gains initial access to a system running vulnerable Intel Optane PMem management software
2. The attacker identifies resources with overly permissive default permissions
3. By manipulating these resources, the attacker escalates their privileges within the application context
4. The escalated privileges can then be leveraged to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability

The attack requires specific prerequisites to be in place and active participation from a legitimate user, which increases the overall complexity but does not eliminate the risk entirely.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22849

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected permission changes on Intel Optane PMem management software directories and files
• Unauthorized access attempts to PMem management configuration files
• Unusual process activity associated with Intel Optane management utilities
• Privilege escalation events originating from low-privileged user accounts on systems with Optane PMem

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on Intel Optane PMem management software installation directories
• Monitor Windows Security Event logs for privilege escalation events (Event IDs 4672, 4673, 4674)
• Deploy endpoint detection rules targeting abnormal access patterns to Intel Optane management components
• Audit file and directory permissions on systems with vulnerable software versions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed audit logging for file system access on Intel Optane PMem installation paths
• Configure SentinelOne Singularity platform to monitor for behavioral indicators of privilege escalation
• Establish baseline permissions for Intel Optane PMem components and alert on deviations
• Implement regular vulnerability scanning to identify unpatched systems

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22849

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all systems running Intel Optane PMem management software and inventory their versions
• Update affected software to patched versions: CR_MGMT_01.00.00.3584, CR_MGMT_02.00.00.4052, or CR_MGMT_03.00.00.0538 or later
• Review and harden file permissions on Intel Optane PMem management software directories pending patching
• Restrict local access to systems with vulnerable software to essential personnel only

Patch Information

Intel has released updated versions of the Optane PMem management software that address this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to the following minimum versions:

• CR_MGMT_01 series: Version CR_MGMT_01.00.00.3584 or later
• CR_MGMT_02 series: Version CR_MGMT_02.00.00.4052 or later
• CR_MGMT_03 series: Version CR_MGMT_03.00.00.0538 or later

For detailed patch information and download links, refer to the Intel Security Advisory SA-01323.

Workarounds

• Manually review and restrict file permissions on Intel Optane PMem management software directories to authorized administrators only
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of modified management utilities
• Isolate systems with vulnerable software from untrusted network segments
• Enable enhanced monitoring and logging on affected systems until patches can be applied

# Example: Review and restrict permissions on Intel Optane PMem directories (Windows)
# Run as Administrator in PowerShell

# List current permissions
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\Optane PMem" /T

# Restrict permissions to Administrators only
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\Optane PMem" /inheritance:r /grant:r "BUILTIN\Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /T