CVE-2016-2556 in GPU Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
The Escape interface in the Kernel Mode Driver layer in the NVIDIA GPU graphics driver R340 before 341.95 and R352 before 354.74 on Windows improperly allows access to restricted functionality, which allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2556 resides within the kernel mode driver layer of NVIDIA GPU graphics drivers, specifically affecting versions prior to 341.95 in the R340 series and 354.74 in the R352 series on Windows operating systems. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits improper access controls within the kernel mode driver interface, creating a pathway for local attackers to elevate their system privileges from standard user level to administrative rights. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and falls within the ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploit for privilege escalation. The affected Escape interface in the kernel mode driver layer demonstrates a fundamental flaw in access control mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized access to restricted system functionality.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper implementation of access controls within the NVIDIA GPU driver's kernel mode component, which fails to adequately validate or restrict access to sensitive functionality. This vulnerability allows local users to leverage unspecified vectors that bypass normal security boundaries and gain elevated privileges. The kernel mode driver operates at the highest privilege level in the Windows operating system, making any flaw within this layer particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor within the graphics driver that enables attackers to circumvent Windows security models including User Access Control and privilege separation mechanisms. The lack of proper input validation and access control checks within the Escape interface allows malicious code to manipulate driver functions that should only be accessible to system-level processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system running affected NVIDIA GPU drivers, as local attackers can exploit this flaw to gain complete system compromise without requiring physical access or complex attack vectors. Once escalated to system privileges, attackers can modify system files, install malicious software, access all user data, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised system. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems with NVIDIA graphics cards, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to systems with these drivers installed. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no specialized knowledge or tools beyond standard local user access, making it an attractive target for both malicious actors and advanced persistent threat groups seeking to establish persistent access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2556 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of the NVIDIA GPU drivers, specifically versions 341.95 for R340 series and 354.74 for R352 series, which address the improper access control issues within the kernel mode driver interface. System administrators should implement immediate patch management procedures to update all affected systems and ensure that the patched drivers are properly installed and validated. Additional mitigations include implementing least privilege principles for user accounts, disabling unnecessary graphics driver functionalities, and monitoring for suspicious system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as driver signature enforcement and kernel-mode exploit prevention tools. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current driver versions and conducting regular security assessments of system components, particularly those operating at kernel level where privilege escalation opportunities can have catastrophic consequences for system security.