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CVE Record

CVE-2021-0164: Improper access control in firmware for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and Ki...

Improper access control in firmware for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi firmware can let someone with local access gain higher privileges on an affected device. The business risk is endpoint compromise, especially on laptops and workstations where local users or malware can run code.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority endpoint hardening issue, not an internet-facing emergency. Patch affected wireless components through normal endpoint management, with faster handling for laptops, shared devices, and systems exposed to untrusted local users.

Technical view

CVE-2021-0164 is an improper access control issue in firmware for Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi across multiple operating systems and Killer Wi-Fi on Windows 10 and 11. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on endpoints using Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi or Killer Wi-Fi on Windows 10 or 11. The supplied sources do not list exact affected versions in the bundle; validation should use Intel SA-00539 and OEM driver inventories.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. The vulnerability is local, not remotely exploitable by itself, but could matter after malware execution or insider access because it supports privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

The record contains a wording mismatch: the description says unauthenticated local access, while the CVSS vector lists PR:L. Use the CVSS vector for scoring assumptions and vendor advisory details for version validation. No CWE is supplied in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Intel SA-00539 for affected versions and vendor-directed updates.
  • Update Intel or OEM wireless firmware and driver packages where applicable.
  • Prioritize mobile endpoints and shared systems with local user access.
  • Confirm endpoint management tools report current Intel or Killer Wi-Fi packages.
  • Monitor Intel and OEM advisories for superseding guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems with Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi or Killer Wi-Fi components.
  • Compare installed versions against Intel SA-00539 and OEM advisories.
  • Check Windows 10 and 11 endpoints for Killer Wi-Fi packages.
  • Verify updated driver or firmware versions after remediation.
  • Track exceptions where vendor-fixed packages are unavailable.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2021-0164 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-0164Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/aIntel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11See referencesListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.