CVE-2016-5852 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
For the NVIDIA Quadro, NVS, GeForce products, GFE GameStream and NVTray Plugin unquoted service path vulnerabilities are examples of the unquoted service path vulnerability in Windows. A successful exploit of a vulnerable service installation can enable malicious code to execute on the system at the system/user privilege level. The CVE-2016-5852 ID is for the NVTray Plugin unquoted service path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5852 represents a critical unquoted service path flaw affecting NVIDIA graphics driver components, specifically the NVTray Plugin within the GameStream and NVS product lines. This vulnerability resides in the Windows service installation process where the service path contains spaces but lacks proper quotation marks around the complete path. The flaw allows attackers to place malicious executables in directories that are searched before the legitimate service executable, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by adversaries with minimal technical expertise.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-428, which describes the weakness of unquoted service paths in Windows systems. When Windows searches for executable files in service paths, it follows a specific order where it will execute the first executable it finds in the search path, regardless of whether it's the intended program or a malicious replacement. The NVTray Plugin service installation fails to properly quote the service path, allowing an attacker to place a malicious binary in a directory that appears in the search path before the legitimate NVIDIA executable. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited to gain system-level privileges, as the service typically runs with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5852 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold in the compromised system. The vulnerability affects NVIDIA Quadro, NVS, and GeForce products, which are widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments, making the attack surface substantial. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute code at the privilege level of the service, which typically runs as SYSTEM, enabling full system compromise without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The attack vector is particularly effective because it requires minimal user interaction or specific conditions to be met for successful exploitation, making it a preferred target for automated exploitation tools.
Security professionals should implement several mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including immediate patching of affected NVIDIA drivers and services, proper service path quoting during installation processes, and regular security audits of service configurations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage this privilege escalation to execute malicious payloads. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring services run with minimal required permissions, and the Windows service configuration should be reviewed to identify other unquoted service paths that may present similar risks. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious service installations to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in the future.