CVE-2022-21240 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
Out of bounds read for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi products may allow a privileged user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21240 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw affecting Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi software products. This issue manifests within the wireless network management utilities that Intel provides for their wireless adapters, creating a potential pathway for information disclosure when exploited by a privileged user with local system access. The vulnerability resides in the software's handling of memory operations during specific network configuration processes, where insufficient bounds checking allows memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries. Such flaws typically emerge from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's memory management subsystem, particularly affecting the wireless driver configuration components that process user-supplied parameters during network setup operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a local privileged user to leverage the out-of-bounds read condition to potentially extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe consequences. The attack vector is limited to local access as the vulnerability requires the attacker to already possess elevated privileges on the target system, making it less immediately exploitable compared to remote code execution flaws. However, the impact remains significant because a privileged user with local access could potentially extract configuration data, authentication tokens, or other sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability's presence in Intel's PROSet/Wireless WiFi management software creates a persistent risk across various enterprise and consumer environments where these wireless management tools are deployed.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability impacts organizations relying on Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi software for network management, particularly in enterprise environments where wireless network configurations are centrally managed. The information disclosure aspect could potentially expose wireless network credentials, configuration parameters, or other sensitive data that might aid in further attacks or compromise the overall security posture of wireless infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi software is installed and actively used for wireless network management, creating a risk that persists until the software is properly updated or patched. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader wireless security assessment, particularly in environments where local privilege escalation is a concern. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the extracted data could potentially be used for lateral movement within network environments or to craft more sophisticated attacks against other system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21240 should prioritize immediate software updates from Intel, as the vendor has released patches addressing the out-of-bounds read condition in affected PROSet/Wireless WiFi versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running Intel wireless management software receive timely updates. System administrators should also consider restricting local access privileges to minimize the attack surface, as the vulnerability requires local privileged access to exploit effectively. Network segmentation and monitoring of wireless network configurations can help detect potential exploitation attempts or unauthorized access to wireless management interfaces. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on wireless management software components and implement security controls that limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures.