CVE-2021-0176 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 denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0176 represents a critical weakness in the firmware implementations of Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi drivers and certain Killer Wi-Fi adapters running on Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the firmware components that govern wireless network connectivity, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors with local system access. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the wireless network adapter firmware fails to properly validate incoming data inputs, leading to potential system instability or complete service disruption.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient sanitization and validation of user-supplied inputs within the wireless driver firmware code. When a privileged user executes malicious input sequences through the wireless network interface, the firmware processes these inputs without proper validation checks, potentially causing buffer overflows, memory corruption, or unexpected behavior in the network management subsystem. This weakness is categorized under CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software systems. The vulnerability allows for local privilege escalation scenarios where authenticated users can leverage the flawed validation mechanisms to disrupt normal wireless operations, effectively creating a denial of service condition that impacts network connectivity and system availability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where wireless network stability is paramount for business continuity. The local access requirement means that attackers must already have system credentials or physical access to the target machine, but this limitation does not diminish the severity of the impact. Organizations running affected Intel PROSet/Wireless and Killer Wi-Fi implementations face potential disruptions in wireless communications, which could cascade into broader operational issues including reduced productivity, increased support overhead, and potential security monitoring gaps. The vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Windows 10 and 11, indicating a widespread impact across current desktop and laptop deployments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0176 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Intel and Killer Technologies, as these vendors have released patches to address the input validation deficiencies. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive the necessary firmware updates promptly. Additionally, network security teams should monitor for unusual wireless network behavior or connectivity disruptions that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and similar local execution methods that could be employed to exploit the validation weakness. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and privilege management policies to limit local access rights where possible, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Regular security assessments of wireless network infrastructure and firmware versions should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in active threat scenarios.