CVE-2012-0952 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE
A heap buffer overflow was discovered in the device control ioctl in the Linux driver for Nvidia graphics cards, which may allow an attacker to overflow 49 bytes. This issue was fixed in version 295.53.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0952 represents a critical heap buffer overflow condition within the Nvidia graphics driver implementation for linux systems. This flaw exists in the device control ioctl functionality that serves as the primary interface between user-space applications and the kernel-mode graphics driver components. The vulnerability specifically affects the nvidia driver module where improper input validation occurs during ioctl command processing, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent heap memory regions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the driver's ioctl handler implementation. When user-space applications invoke specific device control commands to interact with the graphics hardware, the driver fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming data structures before copying them into fixed-size heap buffers. This allows an attacker to supply malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space by 49 bytes, resulting in memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent heap metadata, function pointers, or other critical data structures. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially escalate to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. Attackers who can successfully exploit this buffer overflow can manipulate heap metadata to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code into kernel memory spaces. This represents a significant security risk for systems running affected Nvidia graphics drivers, particularly in environments where untrusted users have access to graphics device interfaces. The vulnerability affects systems where the nvidia driver version is older than 295.53, making it a critical patching requirement for maintaining system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-supplied driver update version 295.53 which includes proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all graphics driver installations are current with the latest security fixes. Additional protective measures include restricting access to graphics device interfaces, implementing kernel address space layout randomization, and monitoring for suspicious ioctl command patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and represents a classic example of how improper input validation in kernel drivers can create severe security implications. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local privilege escalation could provide attackers with elevated system access. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries and memory protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against similar buffer overflow conditions in graphics driver components.