CVE-2016-7381 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
For the NVIDIA Quadro, NVS, and GeForce products, NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver R340 before 342.00, R367 before 369.59, and R375 before 375.63 contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgDdiEscape where a user input to index an array is not bounds checked, leading to denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7381 affects NVIDIA graphics drivers across multiple product lines including Quadro, NVS, and GeForce series for Windows operating systems. This issue resides within the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys which handles the DxgDdiEscape function interface. The flaw manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition in the kernel mode driver where user-provided input is used to index an array without proper bounds validation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129 which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in array indexing operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within the kernel mode context, meaning any successful exploitation could potentially escalate privileges from user level to kernel level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential privilege escalation scenarios. When a malicious user or application provides crafted input to the DxgDdiEscape handler, the lack of bounds checking allows for arbitrary memory access patterns that could overwrite critical kernel data structures or execute arbitrary code. This creates a pathway for attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected system, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple driver versions including R340 before 342.00, R367 before 369.59, and R375 before 375.63, indicating this was a widespread issue across NVIDIA's driver ecosystem during that time period. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to target systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability demonstrates how kernel mode driver flaws can create severe security implications for enterprise environments. When a graphics driver operates in kernel space, it has unrestricted access to system resources and memory, making any input validation failures within these components extremely dangerous. The bounds checking failure in the nvlddmkm.sys driver represents a fundamental security gap that could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications, compromised software installations, or even social engineering campaigns that trick users into running malicious code. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader supply chain security concerns, as graphics drivers are frequently updated and may contain exploitable code that could be leveraged by attackers targeting specific environments. The remediation approach typically involves updating to patched driver versions, though the complexity of graphics driver updates in enterprise environments can create additional challenges for security teams implementing timely fixes. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of kernel mode code review processes and the need for robust input validation mechanisms in system-level software components that interface with user applications.