CVE-2016-7387 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 ID 0x600000D where a value passed from a user to the driver is used without validation as the index to an internal array, leading to denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7387 resides within NVIDIA's Windows GPU display drivers, specifically affecting the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw manifests in the DxgDdiEscape handler for escape ID 0x600000D, where user-supplied data is improperly validated before being used as an array index. The vulnerability impacts multiple product lines including Quadro, NVS, and GeForce graphics cards, with affected versions spanning driver releases R340 before 342.00, R367 before 369.59, and R375 before 375.63. The root cause aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through improper input handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a user-mode application submits a malicious value to the driver through the DxgDdiEscape interface, specifically targeting the escape ID 0x600000D. The kernel mode driver component fails to validate the submitted index value before using it to access an internal array structure, creating a potential for out-of-bounds memory access. This flaw exists at the boundary between user space and kernel space execution contexts, where the driver assumes all input from user applications is trustworthy. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials and privileges to gain elevated access, as it provides a potential pathway for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7387 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable privilege escalation attacks. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause system instability through denial of service conditions or allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The kernel mode layer represents a critical attack surface since successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing adversaries to bypass operating system security controls, modify system memory, and potentially install persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems with affected NVIDIA GPU drivers installed, creating a persistent risk for organizations that do not maintain up-to-date driver installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7387 primarily focus on driver updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to NVIDIA driver versions 342.00, 369.59, or 375.63 respectively, which contain patches addressing the array index validation issue. Additionally, system administrators should implement driver whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted graphics drivers and consider enabling kernel-mode driver validation features within Windows. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current driver versions as part of overall cybersecurity hygiene, as outdated drivers often contain unpatched vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual GPU-related system calls can also help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all graphics drivers are properly updated and maintained.