CVE-2021-0173 : Security Advisory and Response

An improper validation vulnerability has been identified in the firmware of Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11. This vulnerability may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially trigger denial of service through adjacent access.

Understanding CVE-2021-0173

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-0173 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-0173?

The CVE-2021-0173 vulnerability involves the improper validation of consistency within input in the firmware of Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi. This flaw is present in multiple operating systems, primarily affecting Windows 10 and 11. If exploited, it could enable a denial of service attack via adjacent access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0173

The impact of CVE-2021-0173 is significant as it exposes affected systems to the risk of denial of service attacks. Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt the normal functioning of the Wi-Fi systems, leading to service unavailability and potential system downtime.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0173

In this section, we delve into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-0173.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the inadequate validation of consistency within input in the firmware of Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi. This oversight allows unauthenticated users to exploit the flaw and potentially launch denial of service attacks via adjacent access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and some Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 are vulnerable to CVE-2021-0173. The exact versions affected are detailed in the references.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2021-0173 involves leveraging the improper validation of input consistency within the Wi-Fi firmware. Through adjacent access, unauthenticated users can take advantage of this flaw to initiate denial of service attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-0173.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions include applying security patches, updates, and fixes provided by Intel to address the vulnerability. Users are advised to monitor official advisories and apply recommended security measures promptly to safeguard their systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations and individuals should prioritize ongoing security practices such as regular system updates, robust access control policies, network segmentation, and security awareness training to enhance overall resilience against potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Timely installation of firmware updates and security patches is crucial to remediate CVE-2021-0173. Regularly checking for and applying the latest fixes from Intel can help strengthen the security posture of affected systems and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.