CVE-2017-0315 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) handler for DxgkDdiEscape where an attempt to access an invalid object pointer may lead to denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0315 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver kernel mode component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw manifests specifically within the DxgkDdiEscape handler which processes escape commands sent to the display driver. The issue represents a classic kernel-mode memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through improper validation of object pointers during driver execution. The vulnerability affects all versions of the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, making it particularly concerning due to its widespread deployment across enterprise and consumer environments. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a critical weakness in the graphics driver stack that operates at the highest privilege level, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt normal operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the DxgkDdiEscape handler receives malformed input or attempts to access memory regions that have been freed or otherwise invalidated. This improper pointer validation creates a condition where an attacker can manipulate the driver into dereferencing invalid memory addresses, leading to either a system crash or more severe consequences including privilege escalation. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The kernel mode nature of the flaw means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as the driver operates with the highest privilege level and has direct access to system memory and hardware resources.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on NVIDIA graphics hardware, particularly in enterprise environments where system stability and security are paramount. The potential for denial of service attacks means that attackers could repeatedly exploit the vulnerability to crash systems or render graphics functionality unusable, causing operational disruptions. More critically, the privilege escalation potential allows attackers to elevate their execution context from user-level to kernel-level privileges, enabling them to bypass standard security controls, install malicious software, or extract sensitive data from protected system areas. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the graphics driver is frequently updated or where systems are not regularly patched, as it provides a persistent attack vector that could be leveraged for long-term system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0315 should prioritize immediate patching of affected NVIDIA GPU drivers through official NVIDIA updates or Windows Update channels. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all graphics drivers are kept current with security fixes. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual driver behavior or system crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers could leverage it to establish persistent access or hide their activities within the kernel space. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized graphics-related components and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors.