CVE-2021-0162 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer(TM) Wi-Fi software components on Windows 10 and Windows 11 platforms. The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation (classified under CWE-20), which allows an unauthenticated attacker with adjacent network access to potentially escalate privileges on the affected system. Adjacent access implies that the attacker must be on the same local network segment or have network proximity to the target device, such as being connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The vulnerability enables elevation of privilege without requiring user interaction or prior authentication, which significantly increases the risk of exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain higher-level privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi software are widely used drivers and management utilities that facilitate wireless network connectivity and performance enhancements on many Windows-based devices, particularly laptops and desktops equipped with Intel wireless chipsets. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed in February 2022, with no known exploits in the wild reported at that time. However, the severity and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat, especially in environments where multiple users share the same wireless network or where network segmentation is weak. The lack of a patch link in the provided data suggests that organizations should verify with Intel and Microsoft for available updates or mitigations. Overall, this vulnerability represents a critical risk vector for local network attackers to gain unauthorized elevated privileges on affected Windows devices using Intel wireless software components.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-0162 can be substantial. Many enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators in Europe rely on Windows 10 and 11 devices equipped with Intel wireless adapters and associated management software. An attacker with adjacent network access—such as a malicious insider, visitor, or compromised device on the same Wi-Fi network—could exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain control over targeted endpoints. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business operations, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Sectors with high reliance on wireless connectivity, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and public administration, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability undermines endpoint security by allowing privilege escalation without authentication or user interaction, increasing the likelihood of stealthy attacks. Additionally, the widespread use of Intel wireless components in laptops and mobile devices used by remote workers and traveling employees expands the attack surface, especially in shared or public Wi-Fi environments common in Europe. The potential for compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems elevates the threat to a high level for European organizations.

To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-0162, European organizations should take the following specific and practical steps beyond generic advice: 1) Immediately inventory all Windows 10 and 11 devices to identify those running Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi and Killer Wi-Fi software. 2) Coordinate with Intel and Microsoft to obtain and deploy the latest security patches or driver updates that address this vulnerability. If patches are not yet available, consider temporarily disabling or uninstalling the affected wireless management software where feasible. 3) Implement strict network segmentation and access controls on wireless networks to limit adjacent access only to trusted devices and users. 4) Enforce the use of strong Wi-Fi encryption protocols (WPA3 or at least WPA2-Enterprise) and robust authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized network access. 5) Monitor network traffic for unusual activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts or lateral movement originating from wireless endpoints. 6) Educate IT staff and end users about the risks of connecting to untrusted or public Wi-Fi networks, especially when using devices with vulnerable wireless software. 7) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation behaviors and anomalous process activity related to wireless drivers. 8) Regularly review and update wireless driver software as part of routine patch management to ensure vulnerabilities are promptly remediated. These targeted actions will help reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of this vulnerability within European environments.