CVE-2024-36285 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2025
Race condition in some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killerâ„¢ WiFi software for Windows before version 23.80 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
This vulnerability represents a race condition flaw within Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi software components for Windows operating systems. The issue affects versions prior to 23.80 and stems from improper synchronization mechanisms during critical system operations. The race condition occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared resources simultaneously without adequate locking mechanisms, creating opportunities for unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a timing-dependent flaw in how the wireless driver management software handles concurrent access to configuration files or system registry entries. When an authenticated user executes specific sequences of operations, the software fails to properly coordinate access between different execution paths, leading to potential corruption of critical data structures. This condition can manifest during software updates, configuration changes, or normal operational cycles where multiple system components attempt to modify shared resources simultaneously. The flaw operates at the kernel level or within privileged system modules, making it particularly dangerous for local privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise system integrity and availability. An authenticated local user can exploit this weakness to cause the wireless networking service to crash repeatedly, rendering the system unable to establish or maintain wireless connections. The race condition may also lead to more severe consequences including system hangs, unexpected reboots, or corruption of wireless driver components that could require complete system reinstallation. Network administrators face significant challenges in environments where multiple users have local access to affected systems, as the vulnerability can be exploited to disrupt network connectivity for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to version 23.80 or later, which contain proper synchronization mechanisms and race condition fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. System administrators should monitor for signs of exploitation through log analysis and network monitoring tools, looking for unusual patterns in wireless service disruptions or system crashes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming, and represents a potential entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access through service disruption. Security teams should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring for local user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability requires local authentication to exploit but can cause widespread operational impact.