CVE-2021-0105 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Insecure inherited permissions in some Intel(R) ProSet/Wireless WiFi drivers may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure and denial of service via adjacent access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
This vulnerability resides within Intel ProSet/Wireless WiFi drivers where insecure inherited permissions create a significant security risk for systems running these components. The flaw specifically affects the way file and registry permissions are inherited by child objects within the driver installation structure, creating potential attack vectors for authenticated users who possess adjacent access to the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276 which addresses improper file permissions, representing a fundamental weakness in access control mechanisms that allows unauthorized privilege escalation and data exposure. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure to include potential denial of service conditions that could disrupt wireless connectivity and system stability. Attackers with local authenticated access can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges or manipulate critical system components that control wireless network functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper permission inheritance within the driver installation directory structure and associated registry keys. When the Intel ProSet/Wireless WiFi driver components are installed, certain files and registry entries are created with overly permissive access controls that inherit from parent directories without proper security boundary enforcement. This inheritance mechanism fails to properly restrict access to sensitive components, allowing authenticated local users to modify or read system-critical resources that should remain protected. The flaw operates at the operating system level where Windows file system permissions and registry access controls are not properly enforced, creating a persistent security gap that remains active as long as the vulnerable driver components exist. This type of vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation and inadequate access control implementation that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0105 manifests through multiple attack vectors that can compromise system integrity and availability. An authenticated user with adjacent access can potentially extract sensitive configuration data, modify wireless network settings, or disrupt system functionality through denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems where the Intel ProSet/Wireless WiFi driver is installed, which includes numerous enterprise and consumer devices from various manufacturers that utilize Intel wireless networking components. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where local privilege escalation could lead to broader network compromise, as wireless network settings control access to corporate networks and can be leveraged to maintain persistent access. The vulnerability also impacts system availability by potentially causing wireless interface instability or complete wireless connectivity failure, affecting both productivity and security monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official driver updates provided by Intel, which address the underlying permission inheritance issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all vulnerable systems receive security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing least privilege access controls, monitoring for unauthorized access to wireless configuration components, and conducting regular security assessments of installed driver components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in system components and highlights the need for security reviews of driver installations to identify and remediate similar permission inheritance flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such access control weaknesses. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual registry modifications or file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against the vulnerable permission structures.