CVE-2025-35998 Privilege escalation in Intel(R) Platforms
A local attacker with privileged access can escalate privileges via a missing protection mechanism in Intel Quick Assist Technology kernel components.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-35998?
CVE-2025-35998 is a high-severity vulnerability in Intel(R) Platforms, published on 10 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Missing protection mechanism for alternate hardware interface in the Intel(R) Quick Assist Technology for some Intel(R) Platforms within Ring 0: Kernel may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with a privileged user combined with a low complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present with special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (none) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-35998?
Linux distribution packages (1)
microcode_ctl Red Hat:enterprise_linux_eus:10.0 | All versions | 4:20250211-1.20260227.1.el10_0 |
How do I fix CVE-2025-35998?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-35998 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-35998 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2xw2-f246-g27c, RHSA-2026:6888.