CVE-2022-26047 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2022
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi, Intel vPro(R) CSME WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi products may allow unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26047 represents a critical weakness in Intel's wireless networking software ecosystem, specifically affecting PROSet/Wireless WiFi drivers, Intel vPro CSME WiFi implementations, and Killer WiFi products. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the wireless network management software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through local access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the driver level, where it can directly impact system stability and network connectivity without requiring network-based authentication.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient validation of user inputs within the wireless configuration interfaces and management utilities. When legitimate users or unauthorized parties attempt to modify wireless network settings through local system access, the software fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters. This allows for malformed or malicious input to be processed without adequate checks, potentially leading to buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless driver components that handle network configuration changes, authentication parameters, and connection management functions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables a local attacker to potentially trigger a denial of service condition that can disrupt wireless network connectivity for the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the compromised wireless functionality can render the device unable to connect to wireless networks, effectively isolating the system from network resources. In enterprise environments utilizing Intel vPro technology, this vulnerability could significantly impact device management capabilities and remote access functionality, potentially affecting business continuity and IT operations. The local access requirement means that physical access to the device or administrative privileges are necessary to exploit this vulnerability, but the potential for escalation remains high.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including restricting local access to wireless configuration utilities, applying available vendor patches, and monitoring for unusual wireless network behavior or configuration changes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software design, and demonstrates the importance of defensive programming practices in system-level components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors, while monitoring for any signs of local privilege escalation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068, which involves "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," highlighting the potential for local attackers to leverage this weakness to gain elevated system privileges. Additionally, system administrators should review and tighten access controls for wireless network management interfaces to prevent unauthorized configuration modifications that could lead to service disruption or further exploitation attempts.