CVE-2025-20032: Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi DoS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-20032 Overview

CVE-2025-20032 is an improper input validation vulnerability [CWE-20] in Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows prior to version 23.100. A privileged local user can supply malformed input to the affected software to trigger a denial of service condition. The flaw affects widely deployed Intel Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 adapter families, including AX101, AX201, AX203, BE200, BE201, and BE202 hardware. Intel disclosed the issue in Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-01270 and released updated software addressing the defect.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation disrupts wireless connectivity and integrity of the affected host, impacting availability of Wi-Fi services on endpoints and laptops relying on Intel PROSet/Wireless drivers.

Affected Products

Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows before version 23.100
Intel Wi-Fi 6 adapters: AX101, AX201, AX203
Intel Wi-Fi 7 adapters: BE200, BE201, BE202

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-13 - CVE-2025-20032 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-20032

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation within Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows. The affected software components fail to properly validate specific inputs supplied through local interfaces available to privileged users. When crafted input reaches the vulnerable code path, the wireless software enters an inconsistent state that disrupts normal operation. This yields a denial of service outcome that impacts availability of the wireless stack on the host.

The vulnerability is categorized as an Improper Input Validation flaw [CWE-20]. Exploitation requires local access and a high-privilege context, which constrains remote abuse but does not eliminate risk on multi-user or compromised systems. Attackers who already hold administrative privileges through prior compromise can chain this defect to degrade endpoint reliability, disable wireless connectivity, or interfere with security telemetry that traverses Wi-Fi links.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient sanitization and boundary checking of input handled by the PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software before version 23.100. Intel's advisory identifies the defect as an input validation weakness in the software that manages Intel wireless adapters. The affected code paths accept data from privileged local interfaces without enforcing constraints required to keep the software in a valid state.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and high privileges on the target Windows system. A privileged user or process running under an administrator context sends malformed input to the PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software. The resulting condition disrupts wireless functionality on the machine. No user interaction is required, and the attack complexity is low once local privileged access is obtained.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-20032

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected termination or repeated crashes of Intel PROSet/Wireless services and drivers on affected endpoints.
Sudden loss of wireless connectivity coinciding with administrative activity or unsigned tooling execution.
Windows Event Log entries showing faults tied to Intel wireless driver modules or the PROSet/Wireless service.

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints and confirm the installed version of Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software; flag any host running a version earlier than 23.100.
Correlate driver crash events with recent privileged process activity to identify possible abuse of the vulnerable code path.
Monitor for privileged user actions that interact with wireless driver configuration interfaces outside of change-management windows.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest Windows System and Application event logs from endpoints into a centralized logging platform to surface repeated Intel wireless driver failures.
Track software inventory data for the Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software package and generate alerts when out-of-date versions persist after patch deployment.
Baseline normal wireless service uptime per host and alert on statistical deviations that may indicate exploitation attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-20032

Immediate Actions Required

Update Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows to version 23.100 or later on all affected endpoints.
Prioritize patching on laptops and workstations using Intel Wi-Fi 6 (AX101, AX201, AX203) and Wi-Fi 7 (BE200, BE201, BE202) adapters.
Enforce least privilege on Windows endpoints to reduce the population of accounts capable of triggering the vulnerable code path.

Patch Information

Intel released fixed software in the Intel Security Advisory #01270. Administrators should deploy Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software version 23.100 or later. Updates are available through Intel's Driver & Support Assistant, OEM update channels, and enterprise software distribution tools.

Workarounds

Restrict administrative privileges on affected Windows systems to trusted personnel until patching is complete.
Disable the Intel wireless adapter on high-value systems that do not require Wi-Fi connectivity as a temporary risk-reduction measure.
Apply application allowlisting to block unauthorized tools that could interact with wireless driver interfaces on unpatched hosts.

bash

# Verify installed Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software version on Windows
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PnPSignedDriver | 
  Where-Object { $_.DeviceName -like "*Intel*Wi-Fi*" } | 
  Select-Object DeviceName, DriverVersion, DriverDate