CVE-2021-0151
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated Windows users to escalate privileges through improper access control in Intel Bluetooth installer components. It affects systems running specific Intel Wireless Bluetooth and Killer Bluetooth products on Windows 10.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Wireless Bluetooth products
- Intel Killer Bluetooth products
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local authenticated users exploit the vulnerability to gain elevated privileges for installing malicious software, bypassing security controls, or accessing restricted resources.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and least privilege principles, impact is limited to authorized users who already have some system access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local authenticated access. The vulnerability is in access control mechanisms during installation processes.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Updated drivers released by Intel (check specific version in Intel advisory)
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00540.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit Intel's security advisory page. 2. Download updated Bluetooth drivers for your specific hardware. 3. Install the updated drivers. 4. Restart the system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable Bluetooth drivers
windowsUninstall affected Intel Bluetooth drivers to eliminate the vulnerable component
Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall Intel Bluetooth drivers
Restrict installer permissions
windowsApply stricter access controls to installer directories and processes
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege principles - ensure users don't have local admin rights
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts and unusual installer activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Device Manager > Bluetooth > Intel device properties for driver version and compare with Intel's advisoryCheck Version:
wmic path Win32_PnPSignedDriver where "DeviceName like '%Intel%Bluetooth%'" get DeviceName, DriverVersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed Bluetooth driver version matches or exceeds the patched version listed in Intel advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual installer processes running with elevated privileges
- Bluetooth driver installation events from non-admin users
- Security log events showing privilege escalation
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName contains 'setup.exe' OR ProcessName contains 'installer') AND SubjectUserName NOT IN (admin_users_list) AND NewProcessName contains 'system'