CVE-2016-8827 in GeForce Experience
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA GeForce Experience 3.x before GFE 3.1.0.52 contains a vulnerability in NVIDIA Web Helper.exe where a local web API endpoint, /VisualOPS/v.1.0./, lacks proper access control and parameter validation, allowing for information disclosure via a directory traversal attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8827 resides within NVIDIA GeForce Experience 3.x software, specifically affecting versions prior to GFE 3.1.0.52. This issue manifests in the NVIDIA Web Helper.exe component which serves as a local web server interface for the graphics driver software. The affected API endpoint /VisualOPS/v.1.0./ represents a critical security gap in the software's access control mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized local users to access sensitive system information through directory traversal techniques.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the web helper service. When the /VisualOPS/v.1.0./ endpoint receives requests, it fails to properly validate user inputs and lacks proper authorization checks to restrict access to system resources. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the request parameters to traverse the file system and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through local network communication, making it particularly concerning for systems where local privilege escalation is possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive system data that could include configuration files, user credentials, or other confidential information stored within the NVIDIA software's operational context. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where multiple users share systems. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system design.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1083, which covers directory and file discovery, as it enables unauthorized access to system file structures. The exposure of internal system information through this API endpoint could facilitate further attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to NVIDIA GeForce Experience version 3.1.0.52 or later, disabling unnecessary web services, and implementing proper network segmentation to limit local access to affected systems.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in software applications, particularly those running with elevated privileges or providing network services. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient security controls in local web services can create exploitable conditions that compromise system integrity. Remediation efforts should include comprehensive security reviews of all local web services, implementation of proper authentication and authorization mechanisms, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in system components. Organizations must also consider the broader implications of software supply chain security, as this vulnerability affected widely deployed graphics driver software that many users might not regularly update or monitor for security patches.