CVE-2022-21140 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 information disclosure via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21140 represents a critical access control flaw affecting Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi product lines. This weakness stems from insufficient authorization mechanisms within the wireless network management software, creating potential pathways for information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the privilege escalation capabilities within these network drivers and management utilities, allowing authenticated users to potentially access sensitive system information that should remain restricted.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper validation of user permissions within the wireless network configuration interfaces. Attackers with local access and privileged account credentials can exploit this weakness to bypass intended access controls and retrieve confidential data from the system. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where the software fails to properly enforce authorization checks when processing network configuration requests. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-284 category of improper access control, which specifically addresses weaknesses in authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21140 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially gather sensitive network configuration data, authentication credentials, or system information that could facilitate further attacks. Organizations using affected Intel wireless products face significant risk from both internal and external threat actors who may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized insights into their wireless network infrastructure. The local access requirement means that attackers must first establish a foothold on the target system, but once achieved, they can exploit this weakness to escalate privileges and access restricted information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Intel's security patches and updates for the PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi software suites. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized local access attempts on systems running affected software. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Additionally, regular security assessments of wireless network management software should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other network components.