CVE-2024-40887 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 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 represents a race condition flaw within Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi software components for Windows operating systems. The issue manifests in versions prior to 23.80 where improper synchronization mechanisms fail to adequately protect critical system resources during concurrent operations. The race condition occurs when multiple processes or threads attempt to access shared memory locations or system resources simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms, creating potential points of system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient thread synchronization within the wireless driver management components of the Intel software suite. When adjacent network access is available, an unauthenticated attacker can exploit this timing gap to manipulate system states that should remain protected. The flaw specifically affects the wireless configuration and driver management functions that handle connection establishment, driver loading, and system resource allocation. This creates opportunities for attackers to disrupt normal wireless functionality through carefully timed operations that exploit the race condition window.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables denial of service attacks that can render wireless connectivity unavailable to legitimate users. The impact extends beyond simple connectivity disruption as the race condition may also potentially lead to system instability, driver crashes, or even privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers leveraging adjacent network access can repeatedly trigger the race condition to maintain persistent disruption of wireless services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be exploited through local network access, making it accessible to attackers who have physical or network proximity to target systems.
The security implications align with CWE-362, which catalogs race conditions as a critical weakness in concurrent programming. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in how the software manages shared resources and concurrent access patterns. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network disruption through resource exhaustion or manipulation. Organizations using affected Intel wireless software versions face potential operational disruptions that could impact productivity, security posture, and business continuity. The attack surface is particularly relevant for enterprise environments where wireless connectivity is critical for operations and where adjacent access might be gained through physical presence or network proximity.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate software updates to version 23.80 or later, which contain the necessary synchronization fixes. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring to detect unusual wireless connectivity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System hardening measures including restricted network access and proper access controls can reduce the likelihood of adjacent access exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date network management software and implementing comprehensive patch management processes. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit potential impact and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing wireless service disruptions. Regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure components can help identify similar timing-based vulnerabilities that might exist in other network management software components.