CVE-2021-0168 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 that could potentially allow a privileged user to escalate their privileges via local access.

Understanding CVE-2021-0168

This section will cover the key details of the CVE-2021-0168 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-0168?

The CVE-2021-0168 vulnerability involves improper input validation in the firmware of certain Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi products across various operating systems and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi devices in Windows 10 and 11. This flaw could be exploited by a privileged attacker to escalate their privileges through local access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0168

The impact of this vulnerability includes the potential for a privileged user to elevate their privileges, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or the ability to perform malicious actions on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0168

In this section, we will delve into the technical specifics of the CVE-2021-0168 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the firmware of the specified Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi products and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi devices, enabling a privileged user to potentially execute privilege escalation attacks via local access.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with local access to the affected systems could exploit this vulnerability to gain escalated privileges, thereby bypassing security restrictions and gaining unauthorized control over the devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the CVE-2021-0168 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to apply security updates or patches provided by Intel or the relevant vendors to address this vulnerability and prevent potential privilege escalation attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitoring for security advisories, maintaining up-to-date security configurations, and conducting security assessments are essential for long-term security resilience against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring that systems are promptly updated with the latest firmware and software patches is imperative to mitigate the CVE-2021-0168 vulnerability effectively.