CVE-2016-7389 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
For the NVIDIA Quadro, NVS, GeForce, and Tesla products, NVIDIA GPU Display Driver on Linux R304 before 304.132, R340 before 340.98, R367 before 367.55, R361_93 before 361.93.03, and R370 before 370.28 contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvidia.ko) handler for mmap() where improper input validation may allow users to gain access to arbitrary physical memory, leading to an escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7389 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within NVIDIA's GPU display drivers for Linux systems. This issue affects multiple product lines including Quadro, NVS, GeForce, and Tesla hardware, specifically targeting the kernel mode layer component known as nvidia.ko. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the memory mapping handler, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory management mechanisms. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability manifests as an insufficient input validation error that allows unauthorized access to physical memory addresses, fundamentally compromising system security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the kernel mode layer where the mmap() system call handler fails to properly validate user-supplied parameters. When legitimate users invoke memory mapping operations through the NVIDIA driver, the flawed validation logic permits malformed input that can manipulate the driver's memory access controls. This allows attackers to construct specific memory mapping requests that bypass normal security checks, effectively enabling them to access arbitrary physical memory locations. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from user-space without requiring elevated privileges initially, directly violating the principle of least privilege.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple memory access, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges to kernel level execution. Successful exploitation could enable adversaries to read and write to any physical memory location, potentially allowing them to modify critical system data, inject malicious code, or extract sensitive information from memory. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting kernel-mode exploitation methods. The affected driver versions span multiple release branches, indicating this was a persistent flaw that required patching across several driver series, with each major version requiring specific remediation updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7389 primarily focus on immediate driver updates to the patched versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should prioritize updating to NVIDIA driver releases 304.132, 340.98, 367.55, 361.93.03, and 370.28 respectively for each affected release series. Additionally, implementing kernel lockdown mechanisms and restricting user access to GPU devices through device permissions can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel module security and proper input validation practices, particularly for hardware drivers that operate with elevated privileges and direct hardware access capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual memory mapping activities and ensure that GPU drivers are regularly updated as part of their overall security maintenance protocols.