CVE-2026-20718

Privilege Escalation through Improper Installer Permissions in Intel NPU Driver

Published May 12, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 5.4 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

Incorrect default permissions for some Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers before version 32.0.100.4511 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.

Analysis

Technical impact

The flaw originates from incorrect default permissions on some Intel R NPU Driver installers that are run in user mode. An unprivileged software adversary, combined with a high attack complexity, may elevate privileges during installation. The weakness falls under CWE-276 and can compromise confidentiality, integrity and availability of the host system.

Affected Systems

Intel R NPU Driver software installers released before version 32.0.100.4511 are affected. The vulnerability is present in the default installation package and can be triggered on any system that installs a vulnerable release as a user application.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.4 indicates a medium severity. No EPSS score was provided, and it is inferred that exploitation may be relatively rare or limited to local contexts. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Attackers would need local, authenticated access with a high attack complexity and active user interaction. Upon exploitation, the attacker could elevate privileges and potentially compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the affected machine.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

n/a

Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers

unaffected

Version	Status	Constraints
`before version 32.0.100.4511`	affected	—

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Intel

Npu Drivers

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[0,32.0.100.4511)`	affected	generic	—

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Install Intel R NPU Driver version 32.0.100.4511 or later, which fixes the permission issue.
Verify that installer files possess the correct ownership and permissions as specified by the vendor; correct any deviations.
Apply the principle of least privilege to user applications that interact with the NPU driver to prevent unauthorized file access or modification.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 12, 2026 at 17:56 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

No advisories available

Metrics

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity High

Privileges Required Low

Attack Requirements Present

User Interaction Active

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact High

Vulnerable System Availability Impact High

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

No CVSS v3.1

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.082% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01424.html

History

May 13, 2026 11:00 AM First appearance in the feed. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Intel Intel npu Drivers
Vendors & Products		Intel Intel npu Drivers

May 13, 2026 5:15 AM Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Metrics		ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

May 12, 2026 6:15 PM Title updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Title		Privilege Escalation through Improper Installer Permissions in Intel NPU Driver

May 12, 2026 4:45 PM Description updated. Weaknesses updated. Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		Incorrect default permissions for some Intel(R) NPU Driver software installers before version 32.0.100.4511 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
Weaknesses		CWE-276
References		https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01424.html
Metrics		cvssV4_0 `{'score': 5.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}`