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CVE Record

CVE-2021-33141: Improper input validation in some Intel(R) Ethernet Adapters and Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I225 Manageab...

Improper input validation in some Intel(R) Ethernet Adapters and Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I225 Manageability firmware may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via network access.

HighCVSS 8.6Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue can let an unauthenticated attacker on the network crash or disrupt systems using affected Intel Ethernet adapter manageability firmware. The main business risk is availability loss, not data theft or tampering, based on the CVSS vector and CVE description.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority for uptime-sensitive environments, especially where affected systems are reachable from broad or untrusted networks. Prioritize inventory and vendor guidance confirmation before emergency action.

Technical view

CVE-2021-33141 is improper input validation in some Intel Ethernet Adapters and Intel Ethernet Controller I225 Manageability firmware. The CVSS 3.1 vector is network-accessible, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, scope changed, with high availability impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure depends on whether assets use the affected Intel Ethernet adapters or Intel Ethernet Controller I225 manageability firmware versions listed by Intel. The provided CVE bundle does not enumerate specific firmware versions.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not report active exploitation, and KEV status is false. The vulnerability is remotely reachable over the network and requires no authentication, so reachable management or host network surfaces should be prioritized.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record, CVE List data, and Intel advisory reference. Do not infer confidentiality or integrity impact; the CVSS vector shows availability-only impact. Affected version detail requires Intel advisory review.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Intel SA-00756 for affected versions and vendor guidance.
  • Inventory systems using Intel Ethernet Controller I225 or listed Intel Ethernet adapters.
  • Apply Intel or OEM firmware updates when confirmed applicable.
  • Limit network exposure to affected management interfaces where operationally feasible.
  • Monitor affected systems for unexplained network adapter or host availability failures.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm adapter models and manageability firmware versions across hardware inventory.
  • Compare discovered versions against Intel SA-00756 affected product guidance.
  • Verify whether OEM firmware packages include the Intel fix.
  • Check network paths to affected systems from untrusted segments.
  • Document any exposed affected assets for remediation tracking.
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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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-33141 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.6 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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
8.6CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H3.94Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.6High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-33141Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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) Ethernet Adapters and Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I225 Manageability firmwareSee referencesunaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-20

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