CVE-2021-0063 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
Improper input validation in firmware for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi in Windows 10 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via adjacent access.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2021
This vulnerability resides within the firmware components of Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi drivers running on Windows 10 systems, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of wireless network operations. The flaw manifests as insufficient input validation mechanisms within the firmware layer, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized local users to manipulate system behavior through adjacent network access. The vulnerability specifically affects devices that utilize Intel's wireless networking solutions, where the firmware fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data inputs, potentially leading to system instability and service disruption.
The technical implementation of this weakness stems from inadequate boundary checking and input sanitization routines within the wireless driver firmware. When legitimate users or attackers submit malformed or unexpected input parameters through the wireless interface, the firmware processes these inputs without proper validation, creating opportunities for malicious actors to craft specific payloads that trigger system resource exhaustion or memory corruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted inputs. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it requires only adjacent network access, meaning that an attacker positioned within the same physical network segment can exploit the flaw without requiring remote network connectivity or authentication credentials.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where wireless networks are extensively deployed and where adjacent access might be gained through social engineering, physical proximity, or network compromise. The denial of service condition can manifest as complete wireless connectivity disruption, requiring system reboot or manual driver intervention to restore normal operations. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness repeatedly to maintain persistent service disruption, making it particularly dangerous for mission-critical systems that depend on wireless connectivity for operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it could potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks that leverage the compromised wireless interface to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the network.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest firmware updates from Intel, which address the input validation deficiencies in the affected wireless driver components. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit adjacent network access where possible, particularly in environments where wireless infrastructure is critical to operations. System monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns of wireless interface behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious wireless protocol traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure compatibility with existing network infrastructure while maintaining the security improvements that address the input validation weakness. Organizations should also review their wireless network policies to ensure that physical security measures are adequate to prevent unauthorized adjacent access to wireless network segments, as this vulnerability specifically targets environments where such access is possible.