CVE-2012-0951 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE
A Memory Corruption Vulnerability exists in NVIDIA Graphics Drivers 29549 due to an unknown function in the file proc/driver/nvidia/registry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0951 represents a critical memory corruption issue within NVIDIA graphics drivers version 29549, specifically located within the proc/driver/nvidia/registry component. This flaw manifests as an unknown function that processes registry data, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited to compromise system integrity. The memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper handling of registry entries that are processed by the NVIDIA driver kernel module, which operates with elevated privileges and direct hardware access capabilities. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of kernel-level memory corruption flaws that can be exploited through privilege escalation attacks. The registry processing function in question likely fails to properly validate input data or may not adequately protect against buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory manipulation attacks. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as "Out-of-bounds Read" and potentially CWE-787 as "Out-of-bounds Write" depending on the exact implementation details. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the NVIDIA driver operates at kernel level, meaning any successful exploitation could provide attackers with direct access to graphics hardware and system memory, potentially enabling techniques such as rootkit deployment or advanced persistent threat operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for systems running affected NVIDIA graphics drivers, particularly in enterprise environments where graphics processing is critical for visualization, rendering, or gaming applications. The exploitability of such a flaw means that attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to systems through various attack vectors including malicious software installations, web-based attacks, or even physical access scenarios where the driver is loaded. The vulnerability affects systems with NVIDIA GeForce 800 series and higher graphics cards, including models such as the GTX 500, GTX 600, and GTX 700 series, making it relevant to both consumer and professional computing environments. Organizations utilizing these graphics solutions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information processed through graphics-intensive applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0951 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific memory corruption issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive the latest driver updates, particularly those containing security fixes for kernel-level vulnerabilities. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel patch protection mechanisms, monitoring for suspicious registry modifications, and applying principle of least privilege configurations for graphics driver access. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs, and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous registry access patterns or memory manipulation activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068 as "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and potentially T1547 as "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" if attackers attempt to maintain persistence through registry modifications. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify systems running outdated drivers and ensure complete remediation across all endpoints.