CVE-2024-39606 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2025
Improper input validation in some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killerâ„¢ WiFi software for Windows before version 23.80 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via adjacent access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
This vulnerability resides within Intel's PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi software ecosystems for Windows platforms, representing a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that could be exploited by adjacent attackers to disrupt system operations. The flaw specifically affects versions prior to 23.80, indicating a targeted remediation effort that highlights the severity of the issue. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, a fundamental weakness that undermines the integrity of software systems. Attackers with adjacent network access can potentially leverage this weakness to execute denial of service attacks, effectively compromising the availability of wireless network services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied inputs within the wireless network management software. When the software processes network configuration parameters or wireless connection requests, it fails to properly validate the incoming data, creating potential entry points for malicious manipulation. This weakness allows an unauthenticated attacker who has physical or network proximity to the affected system to inject malformed inputs that can cause the wireless service to crash or become unresponsive. The adjacent access requirement means that attackers must be within the network's physical or logical reach, typically limited to local network segments or direct physical access, but this proximity requirement does not diminish the potential impact on network availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting enterprise network infrastructure where wireless connectivity is critical for business operations. Organizations relying on Intel's wireless management software may experience significant downtime when attackers exploit this weakness, particularly in environments where wireless networks serve as primary communication channels. The denial of service attack vectors could affect multiple connected devices simultaneously, as wireless network management services often control connectivity for entire network segments. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where wireless network management is centralized, as a successful attack could compromise the entire wireless infrastructure rather than individual devices.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to version 23.80 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws. Network administrators should implement additional security measures including network segmentation to limit adjacent access privileges, and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation practices as outlined in the software security principles of the OWASP Top Ten, where improper input validation consistently ranks among the most critical security weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and privilege separation to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the wireless management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management software components, as this vulnerability represents a broader category of issues affecting wireless network infrastructure security.