CVE-2022-40964
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer WiFi software allows a privileged user to escalate privileges via local access due to improper access control. It affects systems running vulnerable versions of these Intel wireless drivers and software. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain higher privileges on the local system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi software
- Intel Killer WiFi software
📦 What is this software?
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Killer by Intel
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A local attacker with existing privileges could gain SYSTEM/root-level access, potentially taking full control of the affected system, installing malware, or accessing sensitive data.
Likely Case
A malicious insider or compromised account with local access could elevate privileges to install persistent backdoors, bypass security controls, or access restricted system resources.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and least privilege principles, the impact is limited as attackers would need initial local access and privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and existing privileges. No public exploit code has been identified, but the vulnerability is well-documented in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions addressing Intel-SA-00766 (specific version varies by product and OS)
Vendor Advisory: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00766.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Intel advisory for affected products. 2. Update Intel wireless drivers through Windows Update or manufacturer website. 3. For Linux, update packages via distribution repositories. 4. Reboot system after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
allLimit local access to systems with vulnerable software to trusted users only
Apply principle of least privilege
allEnsure users have only necessary privileges to reduce impact if exploited
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or remove vulnerable Intel wireless adapters if possible
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for systems with vulnerable software
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel wireless driver version against affected versions listed in Intel-SA-00766 advisoryCheck Version:
Windows: wmic path win32_pnpentity where "caption like '%Intel%Wireless%'" get caption,driverVersion | Linux: modinfo iwlwifi | grep versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version has been updated to patched version and check system logs for successful driver installation📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Driver installation/update events
- Privilege escalation attempts in security logs
- Unusual process creation with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- Local privilege escalation typically has no network indicators
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName contains 'cmd.exe' OR ProcessName contains 'powershell.exe') AND NewProcessName contains 'system' OR ParentProcessName contains 'system'🔗 References
- http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00766.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/09/msg00043.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HUCYUR4WBTELCRHELISJ3RMZVHKIV5TN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/K24OJT4AVMNND7LBTC2ZDDTE6DJHAKB4/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/Y76A3PLHIQCEPESB4XVBV5SRRXQEZ5JY/
- http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00766.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/09/msg00043.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HUCYUR4WBTELCRHELISJ3RMZVHKIV5TN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/K24OJT4AVMNND7LBTC2ZDDTE6DJHAKB4/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/Y76A3PLHIQCEPESB4XVBV5SRRXQEZ5JY/
