CVE-2022-40964 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2023
Improper access control for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40964 represents a critical access control flaw within Intel's PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi software suites. This issue affects the privilege management mechanisms implemented in the wireless network management utilities that are commonly deployed on enterprise and consumer devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions during critical system operations, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation that could be exploited by authenticated users with local access to affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of access control checks within the software components responsible for managing wireless network configurations and driver installations. When a user interacts with the wireless management interfaces or executes specific administrative functions, the software fails to properly verify whether the executing user possesses the necessary elevated privileges to perform such operations. This weakness allows a privileged user who has already established local access to potentially bypass normal security boundaries and escalate their privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the boundary between user-space applications and system-level operations, where proper privilege separation should be maintained.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi or Killer WiFi software across their networks. The local access requirement means that an attacker must first establish a foothold on a target system through other means before attempting to exploit this specific weakness. However, once achieved, the privilege escalation could enable attackers to install malicious drivers, modify network configurations, or access sensitive system resources that are normally protected. The impact extends beyond simple local privilege escalation as it could potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access or move laterally within network environments where the affected software is installed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software implementations. This classification indicates that the software fails to properly enforce authorization checks, allowing unauthorized operations to be performed. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting local privilege escalation methods. The attack surface is particularly relevant in enterprise environments where these wireless management tools are widely deployed across multiple device types, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices that may be managed through centralized IT policies.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest software updates provided by Intel, which typically address the access control validation issues. System administrators should also review and tighten local access controls on systems running affected software, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to wireless management interfaces. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns of wireless configuration changes or driver installations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify systems running outdated versions of the affected software, with priority given to systems where local access is more readily available to potential attackers. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated software versions to ensure that the access control improvements do not negatively impact legitimate system functionality while maintaining the necessary security controls.