CVE-2021-33115
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi UEFI firmware allows an unauthenticated attacker on the same network to potentially escalate privileges by exploiting improper input validation. It affects systems with vulnerable Intel WiFi adapters that have the affected UEFI firmware. The attacker must be physically or logically adjacent to the target system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi products with UEFI firmware
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing an attacker to gain higher privileges than their current access level, potentially leading to system control.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if network segmentation prevents adjacent access and systems are properly patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires adjacent network access and knowledge of vulnerable systems. No public exploit code has been released.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Refer to Intel advisory SA-00582 for specific firmware versions
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00582.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Intel advisory SA-00582 for affected products. 2. Download updated UEFI firmware from Intel support site. 3. Follow manufacturer instructions to update firmware. 4. Reboot system after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate systems with vulnerable Intel WiFi adapters to prevent adjacent network access
Disable WiFi When Not Needed
allTurn off WiFi adapters on vulnerable systems when wireless connectivity is not required
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems
- Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity targeting WiFi management protocols
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system BIOS/UEFI settings for Intel WiFi firmware version and compare with Intel advisory SA-00582Check Version:
System-specific: Check BIOS/UEFI settings or use manufacturer diagnostic toolsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to patched version listed in Intel advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected firmware modification attempts
- WiFi management protocol anomalies
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WiFi management traffic from unauthorized sources
- Protocol violations in WiFi management frames
SIEM Query:
Search for firmware update attempts from unauthorized sources or WiFi management protocol anomalies