Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software: Improper Access Control
CVE-2026-20741 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software, 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 Software versions: See references. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.18% 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 24.10.0 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 | Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software | See references | Not stated |
| Intel | Proset/wireless WiFi | before 24.10.0 | 24.10.0 |
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
- 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 NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.3 | High | CNA (intel.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | NVD |
Official description
Improper access control for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software within Ring 2: Device Drivers may allow a denial of service. Unprivileged software adversary with an unauthenticated user combined with a low complexity attack may enable denial of service. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are not present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (low) and availability (high) impacts.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control
The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
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
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
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