CVE-2016-8826 in GPU Driver
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of NVIDIA GPU Display Driver contain a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys for Windows or nvidia.ko for Linux) where a user can cause a GPU interrupt storm, leading to a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8826 represents a critical flaw in NVIDIA GPU display drivers that affects both Windows and Linux operating systems through their respective kernel mode components. This weakness exists within the kernel mode layer of NVIDIA's graphics drivers, specifically manifesting in the nvlddmkm.sys module on Windows systems and the nvidia.ko module on Linux platforms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of GPU interrupt management within the driver's kernel components, creating a condition where malicious or legitimate user processes can trigger excessive interrupt generation that overwhelms system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit a race condition or improper interrupt handling mechanism within the NVIDIA kernel driver. When exploited, the flaw enables a user-level process to generate sustained GPU interrupt activity that can persistently consume system resources and processing cycles. This interrupt storm effectively degrades system performance to the point of complete denial of service, rendering the affected GPU and potentially the entire system unusable. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, meaning that exploitation can occur from user-mode applications without requiring elevated privileges, and the effects can cascade across the entire operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8826 extends beyond simple performance degradation to encompass complete system availability compromise. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt critical services or applications that depend on GPU acceleration, potentially causing significant business disruption. The vulnerability affects all versions of NVIDIA GPU display drivers, making it a widespread concern across various system configurations and deployment scenarios. The root cause aligns with CWE-362, which addresses 'Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization,' and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, 'Utilities: File Deletion," through the indirect denial of service mechanism that renders systems non-functional.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate driver updates from NVIDIA to address the kernel mode interrupt handling flaw. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the latest driver versions that contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, monitoring for unusual interrupt patterns or GPU resource consumption could help detect exploitation attempts, though the vulnerability's nature makes proactive detection challenging. Organizations should consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and restricting user access to GPU resources where possible, while also maintaining regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple driver versions underscores the importance of maintaining current driver installations and establishing robust security monitoring protocols to detect and respond to such threats effectively.