CVE-2021-0163 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
Improper Validation of Consistency within input in software for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via adjacent access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0163 represents a critical weakness in the Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi software components that operate on Windows 10 and 11 systems. This flaw resides within the input validation mechanisms of the wireless networking software, specifically failing to properly validate consistency checks on user-supplied data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker who has adjacent network access to the target system, meaning they must be physically present on the same network segment or have direct access to the device. The software components in question are widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments, making this a potentially widespread concern for organizations relying on Intel's wireless networking solutions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation procedures within the wireless driver or management software that processes user inputs or configuration parameters. When the software receives data from network interfaces or user configurations, it fails to perform proper consistency checks that would normally validate the integrity and expected format of incoming data. This weakness creates a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks where an attacker can manipulate the software's behavior through carefully crafted inputs that bypass normal validation controls. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" which is a fundamental security weakness that allows malicious actors to inject unexpected data into applications. This particular implementation flaw allows for the exploitation of consistency validation mechanisms that should normally prevent malformed or malicious inputs from being processed by the software components.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0163 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors within the targeted environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges on the affected system, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network. The adjacent access requirement means that attackers cannot exploit this remotely from the internet, but they can leverage physical presence or network access to compromise systems. This limitation does not reduce the severity of the vulnerability, as many enterprise environments have insufficient network segmentation or physical security controls that could allow an attacker to gain the necessary adjacent access. The impact is particularly severe in corporate environments where wireless networking is extensively used and where attackers might gain access through social engineering, physical access to office spaces, or by compromising network infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation strategies for this vulnerability by ensuring that all affected Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi software components are updated with the latest patches provided by Intel. System administrators should also implement network segmentation controls to limit adjacent access and reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges, and T1059 which covers command and script injection techniques that attackers might use after gaining elevated privileges. Regular security assessments should include verification of wireless networking software versions and configurations to prevent exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access controls for wireless network interfaces, monitoring for unusual network activity patterns, and maintaining comprehensive network visibility to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the widespread deployment of affected software, organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.