Introduction
CVE-2025-24303 affects Intel 800 Series Ethernet Linux drivers and lets an authenticated local user gain elevated privileges. Privilege escalation on a Linux server is a serious problem for any enterprise, and more so when the flaw sits in networking hardware that is deployed this widely. Data centers and other organizations that run Intel's high-performance networking hardware are the most exposed.
Intel is one of the largest vendors of semiconductors and networking hardware. Its Ethernet products run in a wide range of enterprise and cloud environments, including critical infrastructure around the world. The 800 Series is Intel's flagship line of Ethernet controllers, built for performance and features in demanding network deployments.
Technical Information
CVE-2025-24303 is classified under CWE-754: Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions. The vulnerability is in the Linux kernel-mode driver for Intel 800 Series Ethernet controllers, in versions before 1.17.2. The driver does not adequately validate or handle certain exceptional states, and an authenticated local user can use this to escalate privileges on the affected system.
The vulnerability is not remotely exploitable. An attacker needs local access with valid credentials. The official advisories include no public exploit code and no detailed technical breakdown. The root cause is attributed to the driver failing to handle certain edge cases or error conditions correctly, which a local attacker can use to execute code with elevated privileges.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Intel 800 Series Ethernet Linux kernel-mode driver
- Affected versions: all versions before 1.17.2
- Only Linux systems that use Intel 800 Series Ethernet hardware with the vulnerable driver are affected
- Exploitation requires local authenticated access
Vendor Security History
Intel has fixed several earlier vulnerabilities in its Ethernet driver products. Notable advisories include:
- INTEL-SA-00918: Multiple privilege escalation and information disclosure issues in Intel 800 Series Ethernet drivers
- INTEL-SA-01236: Information disclosure vulnerability in the same product family
Intel typically coordinates disclosure and ships patches promptly. It publishes advisories through a dedicated security center, and it has handled vulnerabilities in its networking products consistently.
