CVE-2021-0168 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
Improper input validation in firmware for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
This vulnerability affects Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi firmware components and certain Killer Wi-Fi drivers running on Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the firmware code that processes user-supplied data during wireless network configuration operations. When a privileged user executes specific commands through the wireless management interface, the system fails to properly validate the input parameters, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the firmware layer responsible for handling wireless network configuration parameters. The improper validation occurs during the processing of administrative commands that modify wireless adapter settings, allowing malicious input to bypass security checks. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically relates to privilege escalation scenarios where authenticated users can elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. The vulnerability requires local access and administrative privileges to exploit, making it a local privilege escalation issue rather than a remote attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it potentially allows attackers with local administrative access to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on affected systems. This could enable complete system compromise, data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects multiple Intel wireless products including PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi drivers, indicating a widespread impact across various hardware platforms. Organizations running these wireless solutions face significant risk, particularly in environments where local administrative access is more prevalent than in highly secured corporate settings.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from Intel and Killer network adapter manufacturers to address the input validation flaws. System administrators should implement strict access controls limiting local administrative privileges and monitor for suspicious wireless configuration changes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and implement endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for unusual wireless management activities. Regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure components and maintaining updated firmware inventories are essential for preventing exploitation of this class of vulnerabilities.