CVE-2017-0313 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contain a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) implementation of the SubmitCommandVirtual DDI (DxgkDdiSubmitCommandVirtual) where untrusted input is used to reference memory outside of the intended boundary of the buffer leading to denial of service or escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0313 represents a critical flaw in NVIDIA's Windows GPU display drivers that affects all versions of the software. This issue resides within the kernel mode layer of the graphics subsystem, specifically within the nvlddmkm.sys driver component that handles graphics processing operations. The vulnerability manifests through the SubmitCommandVirtual DDI implementation which is responsible for processing graphics commands submitted by applications to the GPU. This particular flaw constitutes a classic buffer overflow condition where the driver fails to properly validate input parameters before using them to reference memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the DxgkDdiSubmitCommandVirtual function which processes command buffers submitted by graphics applications. When untrusted input data is passed to this function without adequate validation, the driver may attempt to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This memory access violation can occur when the driver uses input parameters such as command buffer offsets or sizes to calculate memory addresses without proper boundary verification. The vulnerability exists at the kernel level, meaning that any successful exploitation could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in the graphics subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0313 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential privilege escalation capabilities that could allow attackers to gain administrative control over affected systems. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to system crashes and reboots due to kernel memory corruption, but more critically, it provides a pathway for attackers to elevate their privileges from user-level to kernel-level execution. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access or deploy additional malware on compromised systems. The vulnerability affects any Windows system running NVIDIA graphics drivers, making it widespread across both consumer and enterprise environments where NVIDIA GPUs are deployed.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and boundary checking. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Windows Management Instrumentation' and 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactics. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems as the vulnerability provides a direct path to kernel-level compromise without requiring elevated privileges for initial exploitation. The remediation strategy should include comprehensive driver updates from NVIDIA, along with network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and system hardening measures to limit the attack surface.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security in graphics drivers, where a flaw in the display driver can provide attackers with unprecedented system access. This type of vulnerability highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms and proper memory management practices in kernel-mode components. Security professionals should implement continuous monitoring for exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in graphics driver components. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely deployed graphics drivers underscores the necessity for regular security assessments and prompt patch management across all system components, particularly those operating at kernel level where the potential impact of exploitation is most severe.