CVE-2025-20618
📋 TL;DR
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows allows privileged local users to cause denial of service. This affects Windows systems with vulnerable Intel WiFi drivers installed before version 23.100. Attackers with local administrative access could crash the system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Privileged attacker could execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistence.
Likely Case
Local denial of service through system crash or WiFi driver failure, requiring reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
Limited to denial of service with proper privilege separation and network segmentation in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local privileged access and knowledge of buffer overflow exploitation techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 23.100 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01270.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel Driver & Support Assistant from Intel website
2. Run the tool to detect vulnerable drivers
3. Follow prompts to update to version 23.100 or later
4. Restart system after installation completes
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Intel WiFi Adapter
windowsTemporarily disable vulnerable Intel WiFi adapter to prevent exploitation
Device Manager > Network adapters > Right-click Intel WiFi adapter > Disable device
Use Alternative Network Interface
windowsSwitch to Ethernet or different WiFi adapter until patch is applied
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict local privilege management to limit administrative access
- Segment network to isolate vulnerable systems from critical assets
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version in Device Manager under Network adapters > Intel WiFi adapter > Driver tabCheck Version:
wmic path win32_pnpsigneddriver where "devicename like '%Intel%WiFi%'" get devicename, driverversionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm driver version is 23.100.0.0 or higher in Device Manager📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- System crash logs (Event ID 41)
- Driver failure events in Windows Event Log
- Unexpected system reboots
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of WiFi connectivity on affected systems
- Unusual local privilege escalation attempts
SIEM Query:
EventID=41 OR (EventID=6008 AND Source="User32") | where DeviceName contains "Intel" and DeviceName contains "WiFi"