Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for…: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2025-20618 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.9 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows versions: before version 23.100. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% 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
- Update Proset/wireless WiFi to 23.100.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on intel.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows | Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows | before version 23.100 | Not stated |
| Intel | Proset/wireless WiFi | before 23.100.0 | 23.100.0 |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- 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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (intel.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.3 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.9 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
Official description
Stack-based buffer overflow for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows before version 23.100 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
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 Software for Windows
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.9 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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