CVE-2007-3532 in Video Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA drivers (nvidia-drivers) before 1.0.7185, 1.0.9639, and 100.14.11, as used in Gentoo Linux and possibly other distributions, creates /dev/nvidia* device files with insecure permissions, which allows local users to modify video card settings, cause a denial of service (crash or physical video card damage), and obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3532 represents a critical privilege escalation and information disclosure issue within NVIDIA graphics driver implementations across multiple Linux distributions including Gentoo. This flaw stems from the improper creation of device files in the /dev directory, specifically the /dev/nvidia* files that serve as interfaces to the graphics hardware. The insecure permissions assigned to these device files create a significant security boundary violation that undermines the fundamental security model of Unix-like systems where device files typically require appropriate access controls to prevent unauthorized manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the NVIDIA driver installation process failing to properly set file permissions on the device nodes it creates. These device files are designed to provide direct hardware access to graphics processing units and typically require root-level access or specific group memberships to function properly. However, when created with world-writable permissions, any local user can access these interfaces and manipulate the underlying graphics hardware directly. This creates a pathway for malicious users to modify video card settings, which can lead to system instability, application crashes, or even physical damage to the graphics hardware through improper parameter configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. Local attackers can leverage these insecure device files to cause system crashes by sending malformed commands to the graphics hardware, potentially leading to complete system lockups or reboot cycles. More concerning is the possibility of physical hardware damage, as improper configuration of graphics card parameters can result in overheating, voltage instability, or other conditions that may permanently damage the graphics hardware. Additionally, the vulnerability allows for information disclosure, as attackers can potentially read sensitive data from the graphics card's memory or configuration registers that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic case of inadequate privilege separation in device driver implementations. From an attack perspective, it maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through access token manipulation and defense evasion through system modification. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in driver development where the principle of least privilege is not properly enforced, allowing unnecessary access to critical system resources. Organizations implementing NVIDIA graphics solutions must recognize this as a foundational security issue that requires immediate remediation through driver updates and proper permission management. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing during driver development cycles, particularly around device file creation and access control mechanisms.
The remediation approach for CVE-2007-3532 requires immediate installation of patched NVIDIA drivers, specifically versions 1.0.7185, 1.0.9639, or 100.14.11 and later, which properly implement secure permissions on the /dev/nvidia* device files. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of existing device file permissions and implement proper monitoring to detect any unauthorized modifications to graphics device files. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other graphics driver implementations. The fix demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in kernel modules and device drivers, where insecure permissions can provide attackers with direct pathways to system compromise and hardware manipulation.