CVE-2013-1872 in Mesa
Summary
by MITRE
The Intel drivers in Mesa 8.0.x and 9.0.x allow context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (reachable assertion and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors involving 3d graphics that trigger an out-of-bounds array access, related to the fs_visitor::remove_dead_constants function. NOTE: this issue might be related to CVE-2013-0796.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1872 represents a critical security flaw within the Intel graphics drivers implemented in the Mesa 3D graphics library version 8.0.x and 9.0.x releases. This issue manifests as a context-dependent exploit that can lead to both denial of service conditions and potential arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where graphics processing is heavily utilized. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running Intel graphics hardware through the Mesa graphics stack, which serves as a crucial component in numerous Linux distributions and open-source graphics applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies within the fs_visitor::remove_dead_constants function, which is part of the Mesa graphics driver's compilation and optimization process for 3D graphics operations. When processing certain 3D graphics commands that trigger an out-of-bounds array access, the function fails to properly validate array indices, leading to a reachable assertion failure that ultimately results in a system crash. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses issues where array indices are not properly validated before being used for memory access operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during the graphics processing pipeline when the driver attempts to optimize shader constants without proper bounds checking.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1872 extends beyond simple system crashes, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Attackers who can successfully trigger the specific graphics processing conditions that lead to this vulnerability can potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The denial of service aspect makes the system unstable and unresponsive, while the potential for arbitrary code execution opens pathways for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, persistent backdoor installation, and data exfiltration. This vulnerability particularly affects desktop environments, gaming applications, and any software that relies on Mesa for 3D graphics rendering, creating widespread potential impact across multiple user scenarios.
The relationship between CVE-2013-1872 and CVE-2013-0796 demonstrates a pattern of similar vulnerabilities within the same graphics driver codebase, suggesting that the underlying architectural issues in the Mesa graphics compilation pipeline were not properly addressed. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through software exploitation, as attackers can manipulate graphics processing operations to achieve system compromise. The context-dependent nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation requires specific graphics processing conditions to be met, but once triggered, the impact can be severe and persistent across system sessions. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including driver updates, system hardening measures, and monitoring for suspicious graphics processing patterns.
Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate patching of affected Mesa versions to address the out-of-bounds array access vulnerability in the fs_visitor::remove_dead_constants function. System administrators should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and input validation controls to reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, monitoring for unusual graphics processing patterns and implementing application whitelisting for graphics-intensive applications can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in graphics driver code, particularly in environments where multiple users may have access to graphics processing capabilities.