CVE-2025-32092: Intel Graphics Software Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-32092 Overview

CVE-2025-32092 is a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Intel Graphics Software versions prior to 25.30.1702.0. The vulnerability stems from insecure inherited permissions within Ring 3 (User Applications), which can be exploited by an unprivileged local attacker with authenticated user access to escalate privileges on affected systems.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation may allow an authenticated local attacker to escalate privileges, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the vulnerable system.

Affected Products

• Intel Graphics Software versions before 25.30.1702.0
• Systems running affected Intel graphics drivers with Ring 3 user applications

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-10 - CVE-2025-32092 published to NVD
• 2026-02-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-32092

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-277 (Insecure Inherited Permissions), where permission settings are incorrectly inherited by child objects or processes in the Intel Graphics Software stack. The flaw resides within the Ring 3 user application layer of the graphics driver architecture.

The attack requires local access with authenticated user privileges and involves high complexity. Active user interaction is necessary for successful exploitation, and specific attack requirements must be present. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables privilege escalation that can result in high impacts to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the vulnerable system.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper permission inheritance within the Intel Graphics Software's Ring 3 user application components. When new objects or processes are created, they inherit overly permissive security settings from parent objects, allowing unprivileged software to access or manipulate resources that should be restricted to higher privilege levels.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have authenticated user access to the target system. The exploitation path involves:

1. An authenticated local user executes unprivileged software
2. The software interacts with Intel Graphics Software components running at Ring 3
3. Due to insecure inherited permissions, the attacker can leverage improperly secured resources
4. With specific attack conditions met and user interaction, privilege escalation is achieved

The vulnerability does not result in subsequent impacts to system confidentiality, integrity, or availability beyond the initial vulnerable system scope.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32092

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual permission changes or access patterns in Intel Graphics Software directories and registry keys
• Unexpected processes spawning from Intel graphics-related executables with elevated privileges
• Anomalous behavior in Ring 3 graphics driver components

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for suspicious process creation events originating from Intel Graphics Software components
• Implement file integrity monitoring on Intel graphics driver installation directories
• Review Windows Security Event Logs for privilege escalation indicators (Event IDs 4672, 4673)
• Deploy endpoint detection rules for unusual permission inheritance patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed auditing for Intel Graphics Software installation paths
• Monitor for unauthorized modifications to graphics driver configuration files
• Implement behavioral analysis for privilege escalation attempts via graphics subsystem
• Review user access patterns to graphics driver components for anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32092

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Intel Graphics Software to version 25.30.1702.0 or later immediately
• Review and audit current Intel graphics driver versions across all endpoints
• Implement the principle of least privilege for user accounts on affected systems
• Monitor for exploitation attempts until patches are deployed

Patch Information

Intel has released a security update addressing this vulnerability. Users should upgrade to Intel Graphics Software version 25.30.1702.0 or later. For complete details and download links, refer to Intel Security Advisory SA-01385.

Workarounds

• Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable Intel Graphics Software versions
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software execution
• Apply additional access controls to Intel graphics driver directories and registry keys
• Limit user privileges on workstations with affected graphics software until patching is complete

# Verify Intel Graphics Software version on Windows
# Open Command Prompt and run:
wmic path win32_videocontroller get name,driverversion

# Check for installed version via PowerShell
Get-WmiObject Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, DriverVersion