CVE-2021-0071 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
Improper input validation in firmware for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi in UEFI may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via adjacent access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2021
This vulnerability resides within the firmware component of Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi drivers that operate within the UEFI environment, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system boot process. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the firmware code that handles wireless network configuration parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system settings through adjacent network access. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi firmware components are deployed in UEFI environments, making it particularly concerning for enterprise deployments where wireless infrastructure is prevalent.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to properly validate user-supplied input parameters within the firmware's wireless configuration handling routines. When legitimate users or unauthorized actors provide malformed or unexpected input values through the wireless network management interface, the firmware does not adequately sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them. This lack of input validation creates opportunities for buffer overflows, parameter manipulation, or other injection-based attacks that can be leveraged to alter critical system settings. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation vector because it allows an attacker with adjacent network access to potentially gain elevated privileges within the firmware environment, which typically operates with high-level system permissions. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation issues, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should be implemented in firmware development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple wireless configuration manipulation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. An unauthenticated attacker with adjacent access to the wireless network can potentially exploit this flaw to modify firmware settings, alter network configurations, or even install malicious payloads that persist across system reboots. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where wireless networks are extensively deployed and where the firmware components are critical for maintaining system integrity. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to establish long-term footholds within networks, as the attacker can manipulate wireless settings to maintain access or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. The impact is amplified by the fact that UEFI firmware operates at a level below the operating system, making traditional security controls ineffective against firmware-level attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations must prioritize applying firmware updates from Intel that address the input validation deficiencies in the PROSet/Wireless WiFi components, while also implementing network segmentation to limit adjacent access to wireless infrastructure. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary wireless services and implementing strict access controls for wireless network management interfaces. The implementation of firmware integrity checking mechanisms and secure boot processes can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized firmware modifications. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of applying ATT&CK framework concepts such as privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers may use similar techniques to manipulate system settings and establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous wireless network behavior or configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular firmware audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire hardware ecosystem, ensuring that firmware components adhere to secure development practices and maintain proper input validation mechanisms throughout their codebase.