CVE-2025-36522: Intel Chipset Software Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-36522 Overview

CVE-2025-36522 is an incorrect default permissions vulnerability (CWE-276) affecting Intel(R) Chipset Software before version 10.1.20266.8668. This flaw allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges through improperly configured file or directory permissions within Ring 3 user applications. The vulnerability requires local access, high attack complexity, and active user interaction to exploit successfully.

Critical Impact
Authenticated local attackers may achieve privilege escalation by exploiting incorrect default permissions in Intel Chipset Software, potentially compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Products

Intel(R) Chipset Software versions prior to 10.1.20266.8668
Systems running vulnerable Intel chipset drivers and related software components
Windows-based systems with Intel chipset infrastructure software installed

Discovery Timeline

2026-02-10 - CVE CVE-2025-36522 published to NVD
2026-02-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-36522

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from incorrect default permissions (CWE-276) in the Intel Chipset Software installation. When the software is deployed, certain files, directories, or registry keys may be configured with overly permissive access controls, allowing lower-privileged users to modify or replace critical system components.

The vulnerability exists within the Ring 3 (user mode) application layer of the Intel Chipset Software stack. Ring 3 operates at the lowest privilege level in the x86 protection ring architecture, meaning user-mode applications should have limited system access. However, when default permissions are misconfigured, authenticated users can potentially leverage these weaknesses to elevate their privileges beyond intended access levels.

Exploitation requires specific conditions: the attacker must have local access to the system, possess valid authentication credentials, and the attack involves high complexity with user interaction requirements. The presence of these prerequisites reduces the immediate exploitability but does not eliminate the risk in targeted attack scenarios.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper permission assignment during the installation or configuration of Intel Chipset Software. This typically manifests as:

World-writable or overly permissive ACLs on installation directories
Weak NTFS permissions on executable files or DLLs
Insecure default permissions on service configuration files
Registry keys with inappropriate access controls for authenticated users

When installation routines fail to properly restrict access to sensitive components, any authenticated user on the system can potentially manipulate these resources to execute code with elevated privileges.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the adversary to have authenticated access to the target system. The exploitation chain typically follows this pattern:

An authenticated user identifies improperly permissioned files or directories within the Intel Chipset Software installation
The attacker modifies or replaces legitimate executables, DLLs, or configuration files with malicious versions
When a privileged process (such as a system service or scheduled task) loads the tampered component, the attacker's code executes with elevated privileges
This achieves vertical privilege escalation from a standard user to SYSTEM or administrator-level access

The attack requires high complexity and specific conditions (attack requirements present), along with active user interaction, which may involve social engineering or waiting for legitimate administrative actions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-36522

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected modifications to files within Intel Chipset Software installation directories (typically C:\Program Files\Intel\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\)
Changes to file permissions or ownership on Intel driver components
Suspicious DLL or executable files in Intel software directories with recent modification timestamps
Anomalous process execution chains involving Intel chipset utilities spawning unexpected child processes

Detection Strategies

Monitor for file integrity changes in Intel Chipset Software directories using file integrity monitoring (FIM) solutions
Audit permission changes on critical Intel software installation paths through Windows Security Event logs (Event ID 4670)
Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify privilege escalation attempts following Intel software component modifications
Implement application whitelisting to detect unauthorized executable modifications in Intel directories

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Windows Advanced Audit Policy for Object Access events on Intel Chipset Software directories
Configure SIEM alerts for unusual process ancestry involving Intel chipset utilities
Monitor for new or modified files in Intel installation directories outside of legitimate update windows
Track authentication events followed by file system modifications in protected directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-36522

Immediate Actions Required

Update Intel(R) Chipset Software to version 10.1.20266.8668 or later immediately
Audit current permissions on Intel Chipset Software installation directories and correct any overly permissive configurations
Review systems for signs of prior exploitation or unauthorized modifications to Intel software components
Restrict local access to systems with vulnerable Intel Chipset Software versions where updates cannot be immediately applied

Patch Information

Intel has addressed this vulnerability in Intel(R) Chipset Software version 10.1.20266.8668 and later releases. Organizations should obtain the updated software through official Intel channels or their OEM vendor's driver update mechanisms. For detailed information, refer to the Intel Security Advisory SA-01411.

Workarounds

Manually audit and correct permissions on Intel Chipset Software directories to remove unnecessary write access for standard users
Implement strict application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of modified Intel software components
Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical Intel software directories to detect unauthorized changes
Limit local user access to affected systems until patches can be applied

bash

# Windows: Check current permissions on Intel installation directory
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel" /T

# Restrict write permissions to administrators only (example)
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel" /inheritance:r /grant:r Administrators:(OI)(CI)F /grant:r SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F /grant:r Users:(OI)(CI)RX