CVE-2020-0559 in PROSet-Wireless WiFi
Summary
by MITRE
Insecure inherited permissions in some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi products on Windows* 7 and 8.1 before version 21.40.5.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0559 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi software components for Windows 7 and 8.1 operating systems. This issue stems from insecure inherited permissions that are improperly configured during the software installation process, creating a pathway for authenticated local users to exploit the system. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi software prior to 21.40.5.1, making a significant portion of legacy Windows environments susceptible to this attack vector. The flaw resides in the permission model implementation where the software fails to properly enforce access controls, allowing unauthorized privilege elevation through local system access.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper inheritance of file and registry permissions within the Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi installation directories. When the software is installed, certain components are created with overly permissive access controls that allow any authenticated user to modify critical system files or registry entries. This permission inheritance flaw is classified under CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper permissions and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability enables an attacker with local login credentials to escalate privileges from standard user level to administrator level, bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent such escalation. The flaw operates at the system level where the software components are not properly secured against unauthorized modification attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on legacy Windows 7 and 8.1 systems with Intel wireless networking software. The attack requires only local system access and authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is compromised or where users have legitimate access to systems. The privilege escalation allows attackers to gain complete administrative control over affected systems, potentially enabling data exfiltration, system modification, or deployment of additional malware. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within network environments where these systems exist. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1547 which addresses registry run keys and startup folder modifications.
The recommended mitigation strategy centers on immediate software updates to version 21.40.5.1 or later, which contain the patched permission inheritance mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as enabling User Access Control (UAC) and reviewing file permissions on affected directories to minimize potential exploitation opportunities. Network segmentation and least privilege access models should be enforced to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes should be enhanced to prevent similar issues in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in system software components and the necessity of regular security updates to address evolving threat landscapes.