CVE-2021-0076 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides details about CVE-2021-0076, which involves the improper validation of specified index, position, or offset in the firmware for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11. A privileged user could potentially exploit this vulnerability to enable denial of service through local access.

Understanding CVE-2021-0076

CVE-2021-0076 is a vulnerability that affects some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11. It arises from the improper validation of specified index, position, or offset in the firmware, potentially enabling a denial of service attack when exploited by a privileged user.

What is CVE-2021-0076?

CVE-2021-0076 involves the improper validation of specific parameters in the firmware of certain Wi-Fi products, allowing a privileged local user to potentially trigger a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0076

The impact of CVE-2021-0076 is the potential for a privileged user to exploit the vulnerability and cause a denial of service, affecting the availability of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0076

This section provides technical details regarding the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in CVE-2021-0076 stems from the improper validation of specified index, position, or offset in the firmware for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi, allowing a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service through local access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11. The specific versions impacted can be found in the provided references.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2021-0076, a privileged user with local access could manipulate the specified index, position, or offset in the firmware to trigger a denial of service on the affected Wi-Fi products.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps that users and administrators can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-0076 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply patches provided by the vendor as soon as they are available. Additionally, restricting privileged access to critical systems can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices and regularly updating firmware and software can help bolster overall cybersecurity posture and reduce the likelihood of successful attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from the vendor to address known vulnerabilities such as CVE-2021-0076 and ensure the security of Wi-Fi devices.