CVE-2016-7390 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 0x7000194 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 • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7390 represents a critical security flaw within NVIDIA's Windows GPU display drivers affecting multiple product lines including Quadro, NVS, and GeForce series. This issue resides in the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys which serves as the bridge between user-mode applications and the GPU hardware. The vulnerability manifests through the DxgDdiEscape function with ID 0x7000194, where the driver fails to properly validate user-supplied data before using it as an array index. This fundamental flaw in input validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through improper handling of kernel-mode operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an attacker can manipulate array indices through unvalidated user input. The flaw operates within the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) framework where user applications communicate with GPU drivers through escape functions that allow direct hardware access. When a malicious application or attacker passes a specially crafted value to the DxgDdiEscape function, the driver processes this input without proper bounds checking, potentially causing the kernel-mode driver to access memory locations outside of its intended array boundaries. This condition can result in system instability, kernel crashes, or more severe consequences including privilege escalation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system security and stability. The denial of service aspect can render graphics functionality unusable, forcing system reboots or requiring driver reinstallation to restore normal operation. However, the more concerning aspect is the potential for privilege escalation, which could allow attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to kernel-level access. This escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to bypass operating system security controls, install malicious software, or access protected system resources. The vulnerability affects multiple driver versions across different NVIDIA driver branches, indicating a widespread exposure that requires coordinated remediation efforts.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have access to a system with the vulnerable NVIDIA drivers installed and to be able to execute code within the context of a user-mode application. The attack vector typically involves crafting specific input parameters for the DxgDdiEscape function that will cause the kernel-mode driver to access invalid memory locations. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and demonstrates how kernel-mode vulnerabilities can be leveraged to gain system-level control. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how improper input validation in kernel-mode components can create severe security implications, as the kernel mode layer operates with the highest privilege levels and direct hardware access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7390 focus on immediate driver updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to NVIDIA driver versions 342.00, 369.59, or 375.63 respectively for the affected driver branches, as these versions contain the necessary patches to address the validation issue. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel-mode code integrity checking and monitoring for suspicious DxgDdiEscape function calls can help detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary GPU features and implementing least privilege principles for user accounts to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular driver updates and security assessments of kernel-mode components, as these areas represent critical attack surfaces where security flaws can have far-reaching consequences.