CVE-2026-20718: Intel NPU Driver Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2026-20718 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Intel NPU Driver software caused by incorrect default permissions. Attackers with local access can elevate privileges on affected systems. This article covers technical details, affected versions, impact assessment, and mitigation strategies.

CVE-2026-20718 Overview

CVE-2026-20718 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Intel Neural Processing Unit (NPU) Driver software installers prior to version 32.0.100.4511. The flaw stems from incorrect default permissions [CWE-276] within the Ring 3 user application context. An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can leverage the misconfiguration to escalate privileges on the affected system. Exploitation requires active user interaction and a high-complexity attack chain. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the vulnerable component. Intel disclosed the issue in security advisory INTEL-SA-01424.

Critical Impact
Local privilege escalation in the Intel NPU Driver installer enables unprivileged users to gain elevated permissions, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected host.

Affected Products

Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers before version 32.0.100.4511
Systems running affected Intel NPU Driver installer packages
Ring 3 user application context on hosts with Intel NPU hardware

Discovery Timeline

2026-05-12 - CVE-2026-20718 published to NVD
2026-05-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-20718

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the installer components of the Intel NPU Driver software. The installer sets default permissions on installed resources that grant broader access than intended for Ring 3 user applications. An unprivileged local user can interact with these resources to perform actions reserved for higher-privileged contexts. The attack requires authenticated local access and active user interaction. The condition is classified under [CWE-276] Incorrect Default Permissions.

The impact is contained to the vulnerable system component, with no demonstrated subsequent impact to other system components. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected NPU driver software stack are all impacted upon successful exploitation. Intel addressed the issue in NPU Driver release 32.0.100.4511.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper assignment of file system or object access control entries by the NPU Driver installer. The installer fails to restrict write or modify permissions on installation artifacts to privileged accounts. Standard users inherit access that allows tampering with installer-managed resources, creating a path for privilege escalation.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local. An attacker must first authenticate to the system as a low-privileged user. The attacker then triggers user interaction in combination with environmental conditions specific to the installer to abuse the weak permissions. No special internal knowledge of the product is required, but the attack complexity is high due to the prerequisite conditions.

No public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Intel Security Advisory SA-01424 for vendor-supplied technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-20718

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected modification of files or registry keys under Intel NPU Driver installation directories by non-administrative accounts
Creation of new executables or DLLs within installer-managed paths outside of update windows
Process creation events where Intel NPU installer components spawn child processes running with elevated privileges following user-context interaction

Detection Strategies

Audit access control lists on Intel NPU Driver installation directories and binaries to identify entries granting write access to non-privileged groups
Inventory installed Intel NPU Driver versions and flag any host running a version below 32.0.100.4511
Correlate local logon events with subsequent privilege elevation events on systems with Intel NPU hardware

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring on Intel NPU Driver installation paths
Collect Windows Security and Sysmon process creation and integrity-level change events for analysis in a centralized SIEM
Track installer execution and post-installation permission changes through endpoint telemetry

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-20718

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Intel NPU Driver to version 32.0.100.4511 or later on all affected hosts
Inventory systems containing Intel NPU hardware and validate driver versions against the fixed release
Restrict local interactive logon on systems with the vulnerable driver until patching is complete

Patch Information

Intel released a fixed NPU Driver in version 32.0.100.4511. The patch corrects the default permissions applied by the installer. Download the updated driver from Intel and follow the guidance in the Intel Security Advisory SA-01424.

Workarounds

Manually tighten permissions on Intel NPU Driver installation directories to remove write access from non-administrative users until the patch is applied
Limit local user accounts on affected systems and enforce least privilege for interactive sessions
Apply application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries from installer-managed paths

bash

# Configuration example: audit ACLs on the NPU driver install path (Windows PowerShell)
Get-Acl "C:\Program Files\Intel\NPU" | Format-List
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\NPU" /remove:g "Users"
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\NPU" /grant:r "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F"