CVE-2011-4784 in Stereoscopic 3D driver
Summary
by MITRE
The NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D driver before 7.17.12.7565 does not properly handle commands sent to a named pipe, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4784 resides within the NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D driver component, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.17.12.7565. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that exploits improper handling of commands transmitted through named pipes, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing NVIDIA graphics hardware with stereoscopic 3D capabilities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the driver's communication mechanisms, allowing malicious applications to manipulate the driver's behavior through crafted command sequences.
The technical flaw manifests in the driver's insufficient validation of data received through named pipe communication channels. When legitimate applications interact with the stereoscopic 3D driver, they establish connections through named pipes to transmit configuration and control commands. The vulnerability occurs because the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data, allowing an attacker to craft malicious commands that bypass normal access controls. This improper handling creates a path where local privilege escalation becomes possible, as the driver processes attacker-controlled data with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-level operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level without requiring additional authentication or authorization. The attack vector requires local system access and the ability to execute malicious applications, but once successful, the consequences are severe as attackers can gain complete control over the affected system. This privilege escalation capability allows adversaries to install malicious software, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects systems running affected NVIDIA driver versions and is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems with stereoscopic 3D capabilities.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to NVIDIA driver version 7.17.12.7565 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the named pipe command handling flaw. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting local user access where possible and monitoring for suspicious process execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in driver-level components and highlights how graphics driver security can significantly impact overall system security posture. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical in preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities that can provide attackers with unauthorized system access and control.