CVE-2017-0314 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-2017-0314 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver kernel mode layer, specifically in the nvlddmkm.sys component that handles graphics processing operations. This flaw manifests in the SubmitCommandVirtual DDI implementation which serves as a critical interface for graphics command submission between the operating system and GPU hardware. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the driver fails to properly validate input parameters before using them to reference memory locations, creating a dangerous scenario where untrusted data can cause arbitrary memory access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the DxgkDdiSubmitCommandVirtual function which processes graphics commands submitted by user-mode applications. When malicious or malformed input data is passed through this interface, the driver's kernel mode component fails to validate the memory reference parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This flaw operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation becomes possible, as the compromised driver component runs with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security and stability. An attacker could potentially exploit this flaw to achieve privilege escalation from user mode to kernel mode, thereby gaining complete system control. The denial of service aspect manifests when malicious commands cause the graphics driver to crash or become unresponsive, leading to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The kernel mode execution context means that successful exploitation could result in persistent system compromise, allowing attackers to install rootkits, modify system memory, or manipulate critical security features. This vulnerability affects all versions of NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Drivers, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple driver versions may be in use simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0314 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, as the company released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the latest driver versions. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous graphics command submissions that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where GPU processing is heavily utilized. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor kernel mode activities and unusual memory access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel mode security validation and proper input sanitization, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and reinforces the need for robust kernel security practices as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 for kernel-level vulnerabilities.