CVE-2018-3701 in Proset Wireless
Summary
by MITRE
Improper directory permissions in the installer for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software version 20.100 and earlier may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3701 represents a critical access control weakness in the Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software installer implementation. This issue affects versions 20.100 and earlier of the wireless network management software, which is commonly deployed on enterprise and consumer devices running windows operating systems. The flaw manifests in the installer's handling of directory permissions, where improper access controls are established during the software installation process, creating potential security gaps that could be exploited by malicious actors with local system access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate permission modeling within the installer's directory creation and access control mechanisms. When the Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software is installed, certain directories are created with overly permissive access controls that allow authenticated local users to modify or manipulate files within these locations. This represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where system components are granted more access rights than necessary for their intended functionality. The installer does not properly implement secure default permissions for the directories it creates, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized modifications that could compromise the integrity of the installed software.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant escalation of privilege attack vector that could be exploited by adversaries with local system access. An authenticated user who gains access to the system can leverage the improper directory permissions to potentially execute malicious code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized system modifications. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could enable attackers to modify core wireless network components, potentially leading to persistent backdoor access or complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly concerns enterprise environments where the software is widely deployed and where local access might be obtained through various attack vectors such as phishing, credential theft, or physical access to devices.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses situations where critical system resources are assigned incorrect permissions that allow unauthorized access. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate system components that should remain protected from modification by regular users. Additionally, the vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a method for adversaries to leverage local access to gain elevated system privileges. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain where initial access might be obtained through other means, but the improper directory permissions facilitate the escalation phase of the attack.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from Intel, which would address the installer permission issues in newer versions of the PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software. System administrators should also implement additional controls such as monitoring for unauthorized modifications to critical directories, applying stricter access controls on existing installations, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have local system access. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of the software and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security audits of installed software components and their associated permissions can help identify similar issues across the enterprise environment.