CVE-2025-20006 in PROSet Wireless WiFi
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2025
Use after free for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows before version 23.100 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via adjacent access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20006 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows systems. This flaw exists in versions prior to 23.100 and manifests as a memory safety issue that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who have adjacent network access to target systems. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the wireless networking software components that handle WiFi connection states and network configuration updates.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when the PROSet/Wireless software fails to properly validate memory references during specific network state transitions or configuration changes. When a malicious actor exploits this condition through adjacent network access, the software may attempt to access memory that has already been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior that can result in system instability or complete denial of service. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise networks where Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software is deployed across multiple endpoints. The requirement for adjacent access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as physical proximity or network segmentation bypasses can provide attackers with the necessary access vector. Organizations running affected versions of the software face potential disruption of wireless connectivity services, which can impact productivity and create security operational gaps during critical network operations. The denial of service impact can be particularly severe in environments where wireless connectivity is essential for business operations.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of Intel's patched version 23.100 or later, which addresses the memory management flaws in the wireless networking components. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all affected endpoints and prioritize patching activities based on risk assessment. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit adjacent access points, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a critical component of endpoint security management that requires continuous monitoring and remediation processes. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network access controls and privileged access management to reduce the overall attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to wireless network configurations.