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CVE Record

CVE-2021-0165: Improper input validation in firmware for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in multiple operating systems and...

Improper input validation 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 denial of service via adjacent access.

MediumCVSS 6.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-0165 is a Wi-Fi firmware input-validation flaw affecting Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi. A nearby unauthenticated attacker could potentially disrupt wireless availability. The available sources indicate denial of service only, not data theft or system takeover.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate availability risk. It is most relevant for mobile workforces and environments where attackers can be physically nearby. Prioritize normal patch management unless affected devices operate in high-dependence wireless settings.

Technical view

The issue is CWE-20 improper input validation in affected Wi-Fi firmware. CVSS 3.1 is 6.5 with adjacent-network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high availability impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to devices with affected Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi firmware on multiple operating systems or Killer Wi-Fi on Windows 10 and 11. Exact affected versions are not enumerated in the provided bundle and should be confirmed against Intel SA-00539.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as CISA KEV in the provided bundle. Sources support a potential adjacent-access denial-of-service scenario. There is no supplied evidence of active exploitation, public exploit availability, or remote internet exploitation.

Researcher notes

The provided data does not include affected version ranges, fixed versions, exploit details, or packet-level conditions. Analysis should stay anchored to Intel SA-00539 and CVSS AV:A semantics. Avoid assuming confidentiality or integrity impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Intel SA-00539 for affected product and version details.
  • Inventory endpoints using Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi or Killer Wi-Fi adapters.
  • Apply Intel-recommended firmware or driver updates where applicable.
  • Prioritize laptops and mobile endpoints using shared or public Wi-Fi.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for revised affected-version or remediation guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm adapter model, driver, and firmware versions on representative endpoints.
  • Compare installed versions with Intel SA-00539 affected and fixed guidance.
  • Check endpoint management data for Windows 10 and 11 Killer Wi-Fi systems.
  • Validate remediation by confirming updated package versions after rollout.
  • Review helpdesk or monitoring data for recurring Wi-Fi denial-of-service symptoms.
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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-0165 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
Medium
CVSS
6.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
6.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H2.83.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

6.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-0165Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

CWE-20

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