CVE-2016-7383 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 a memory mapping API in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler, leading to denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7383 affects NVIDIA graphics drivers across multiple product lines including Quadro, NVS, and GeForce series devices running Windows operating systems. This security flaw resides within the kernel mode layer of the NVIDIA GPU display driver, specifically within the nvlddmkm.sys component that handles memory mapping operations. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the driver architecture that could potentially allow attackers to exploit the system through privilege escalation or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory mapping operations within the kernel mode driver component. When processing memory mapping requests through the nvlddmkm.sys handler, the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating opportunities for malicious code execution or system instability. This flaw allows an attacker with local access to potentially elevate their privileges from standard user level to kernel level access, bypassing normal operating system security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where the most critical system functions reside, making it a prime target for sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7383 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential full system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, or disrupt normal system operations through memory corruption. The affected driver versions span multiple release branches, indicating a widespread exposure across different hardware generations and driver releases. Organizations utilizing affected NVIDIA graphics hardware face significant risk of system compromise, particularly in environments where local user access is possible or where attackers can exploit other initial access vectors to reach the vulnerable driver components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate driver updates to versions that address the memory mapping API flaws. System administrators should prioritize deployment of NVIDIA driver releases 342.00, 369.59, and 375.63 for their respective affected version ranges. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel mode code signing enforcement, driver isolation mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious memory mapping activities can provide additional defense layers. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in kernel mode components, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces and monitor for indicators of compromise related to memory corruption exploits.