CVE-2021-0169 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
Uncontrolled Search Path Element in software for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless 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 • 02/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0169 represents a critical security flaw within Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi software components running on Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. This issue stems from an uncontrolled search path element that occurs when the software processes system paths during execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless network management utilities provided by Intel as part of their PROSet/Wireless suite, which are commonly installed on enterprise and consumer devices for wireless connectivity management. The flaw allows a privileged user with local access to potentially exploit this weakness and escalate their privileges within the system, creating a significant vector for attackers to gain elevated system rights.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path elements where a program searches for files in a predictable order without proper validation of the search path. In the context of Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi software, the flaw manifests when the application attempts to locate and load dynamic link libraries or other executable components without properly sanitizing the search path environment variables. This behavior creates an opportunity for malicious actors to place specially crafted files in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations, effectively enabling a form of DLL hijacking or path injection attack. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local access and privileged user credentials to exploit, making it accessible to users who already have some level of system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0169 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain elevated system privileges and potentially access sensitive data or system resources. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could allow attackers who have already compromised a user account to escalate their access to administrative privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise and lateral movement throughout the network. The attack surface is broad given that Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi software is widely deployed across both consumer and enterprise Windows systems, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations that have not patched this vulnerability remain at risk of exploitation, especially in environments where users have local administrative privileges or where the software is configured to run with elevated permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0169 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation is to apply the official patches released by Intel and Microsoft to address the uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and privilege management policies to minimize the risk of local privilege escalation. The use of application whitelisting solutions and mandatory access controls can help prevent unauthorized code execution and limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file creation or modification activities in system directories that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly audit user permissions to ensure that only authorized personnel have the necessary privileges to access system resources. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper path validation in system software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploit techniques.