CVE-2026-20795 in PROSet
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Improper buffer restrictions for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows within Ring 2: Device Drivers may allow a denial of service. Network adversary with an unauthenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable denial of service. This result may potentially occur via adjacent access when attack requirements are not present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (low) impacts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition within Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows operating in ring 2 privilege level, specifically affecting device drivers that handle wireless network communications. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and buffer size restrictions in the software's driver components, creating potential execution paths where malicious actors can manipulate memory structures through crafted inputs. The vulnerability exists at the kernel level within device drivers, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with elevated privileges while maintaining a relatively low attack complexity. The security implications extend beyond simple denial of service since this weakness could potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, covering heap-based buffer overflows that can occur in kernel-mode drivers. The attack vector requires adjacent network access combined with unauthenticated user privileges, which falls under ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending malformed network packets or manipulating driver communication interfaces without requiring physical access or user interaction. The vulnerability's classification as high availability impact indicates that successful exploitation could completely disrupt wireless networking capabilities, potentially rendering devices unable to connect to wireless networks until system restart or driver reinstallation occurs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability affects systems running Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows across multiple device types including laptops, desktops, and enterprise network equipment. The lack of user interaction requirements means that the attack can be fully automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless connectivity is critical for business operations. Organizations utilizing these drivers face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited by adversaries without requiring special internal knowledge or complex attack chains. The impact on system availability is severe since wireless network functionality becomes completely disrupted, potentially affecting productivity and communication capabilities across affected devices.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Intel's security patches and updates for PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software, implementing network segmentation to limit adjacent access, and applying firewall rules to restrict wireless protocol communications where possible. System administrators should consider disabling unnecessary wireless features when not actively needed, and implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous driver behavior or network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments for device drivers and kernel components, as these elements often represent overlooked attack surfaces in enterprise security postures. Additionally, organizations should establish procedures for rapid patch deployment and maintain detailed inventory records of all wireless network adapters and software components to ensure comprehensive vulnerability management coverage.