Intel Ethernet Diagnostics Driver (IQVW32.sys/IQVW64.sys) Local Privilege Escalation and Arbitrary Code Execution via IOCTL Input Validation Vulnerability (CVE-2015-2291)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTIntel Ethernet diagnostics drivers (IQVW32.sys and IQVW64.sys) before version 1.3.1.0 on Windows platforms
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code with kernel-level (SYSTEM) privileges or trigger a Denial of Service (BSOD) via crafted IOCTL calls
Upgrade the Intel network adapter driver to version 1.3.1.0 or higher, and enable the Windows Vulnerable Driver Blocklist to prevent exploitation
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Update the Intel Network Adapter driver to version 1.3.1.0 or later. Use the following PowerShell commands to audit the current driver version and apply updates.
# Query the system for installed Intel Ethernet driver versions
Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object { $_.DeviceName -like '*Intel*Ethernet*' } | Select-Object DeviceName, DriverVersion
# Check the specific file version of the diagnostics driver
(Get-Item $env:SystemRoot\System32\drivers\iqvw64.sys).VersionInfo.FileVersion2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching cannot be immediately scheduled, enable the Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist via Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) to block the loading of known vulnerable drivers.
# Enable Windows Defender Vulnerable Driver Blocklist via Registry
Reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Config' /v 'VulnerableDriverBlocklistEnable' /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Search the Windows Event Logs to identify if the vulnerable driver has been loaded or if there are any related service errors.
# Search System Event Logs for service control manager events related to IQVW drivers
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
LogName='System';
ProviderName='Service Control Manager';
} | Where-Object { $_.Message -like '*iqvw*' } | Select-Object TimeCreated, Id, Message | Format-Table -AutoSizeBlock Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2015-2291) is an input validation flaw (CWE-20) in the Intel Ethernet diagnostics drivers, specifically IQVW32.sys and IQVW64.sys, designed for Windows environments. The root cause lies in the driver's failure to properly validate input parameters and buffer pointers passed from user-mode applications via Input/Output Control (IOCTL) requests. This lack of validation allows local users to interact directly with kernel memory space.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker with local access can open a handle to the driver's symbolic link (e.g., \\.\Nal) and issue specific IOCTL calls, including 0x80862013, 0x8086200B, 0x8086200F, or 0x80862007. Because the driver does not sanitize the input addresses, it performs arbitrary memory dereferencing or write operations within the kernel space. This 'Arbitrary Write' primitive allows the attacker to overwrite critical kernel structures, hijack execution flow to run shellcode at Ring 0, or crash the operating system (Blue Screen of Death). This vulnerability is highly sought after in Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) campaigns to bypass modern endpoint security controls.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As a vulnerability listed in the CISA KEV catalog, CVE-2015-2291 poses a severe threat to enterprise infrastructure. Successful exploitation elevates a low-privileged local user account to SYSTEM privileges. This allows threat actors to disable endpoint detection and response (EDR) agents, install persistent kernel-level rootkits, and compromise the entire host, leading to lateral movement across the corporate network.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
(1) IQVW32.sys before 1.3.1.0 and (2) IQVW64.sys before 1.3.1.0 in the Intel Ethernet diagnostics driver for Windows allows local users to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges via a crafted (a) 0x80862013, (b) 0x8086200B, (c) 0x8086200F, or (d) 0x80862007 IOCTL call.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2015-2291)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2015-2291 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2015-2291 is rated CVSS 7.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 15.7%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2015-2291?
Primary impacted vendors include intel across ethernet diagnostics driver. Scope summary: All versions of Intel Ethernet Diagnostics Driver for Windows (IQVW32.sys and IQVW64.sys) prior to 1.3.1.0
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2015-2291 before patching?
[Mitigation] Upgrade the Intel network adapter driver to version 1.3.1.0 or higher, and enable the Windows Vulnerable Driver Blocklist to prevent exploitation Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2015-2291
Instantly format this advisory into an executive CISO summary or engineering patch ticket.
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