Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM)…: Use After Free
CVE-2024-41168 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software for Windows, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software for Windows versions: before version 23.80. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software for Windows you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software for Windows | Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software for Windows | before version 23.80 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (intel.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.1 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
Official description
Use after free in some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killerâ„¢ WiFi software for Windows before version 23.80 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via adjacent access.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi and Killer(TM) WiFi software for Windows
- 7.4 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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