CVE-2021-37409 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
Improper access control for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi products may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37409 represents a critical access control flaw affecting Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi product lines. This issue stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms within the wireless network management software, creating potential pathways for unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where the affected software is installed, typically found in enterprise environments and consumer devices running Windows operating systems. The flaw manifests when a privileged user attempts to manipulate system resources through the wireless configuration interfaces, exploiting weaknesses in the software's authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation of user privileges within the Intel wireless management components. When legitimate users execute certain administrative functions through the PROSet/Wireless interface, the software fails to adequately verify that the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges for the intended operations. This weakness creates an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks where an attacker with local access and existing user credentials can potentially elevate their privileges to system level. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation issue rather than a remote attack vector. The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control, and demonstrates how inadequate privilege checking can lead to unauthorized system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Intel wireless management software for network administration. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable attackers to modify wireless configurations, access network resources, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The affected systems typically include enterprise laptops, desktop computers, and mobile devices running Intel PROSet/Wireless or Killer WiFi software. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to wireless network settings, potential data exfiltration through modified network configurations, and compromised network integrity. The local access requirement means that physical or remote desktop access is necessary for exploitation, but once achieved, the privilege escalation can provide attackers with extensive system control capabilities.
Security professionals should prioritize patch management for this vulnerability, as Intel has released updates addressing the access control flaws. The recommended mitigation includes immediate deployment of the latest Intel PROSet/Wireless software updates and ensuring all affected systems receive the security patches. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of privilege escalation, monitor system logs for unauthorized administrative activities, and conduct regular security assessments of wireless network management components. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation, underscores the importance of maintaining proper access controls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities within the network infrastructure.