CVE-2017-0317 in GPU
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of NVIDIA GPU and GeForce Experience installer contain a vulnerability where it fails to set proper permissions on the package extraction path thus allowing a non-privileged user to tamper with the extracted files, potentially leading to escalation of privileges via code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0317 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within NVIDIA's GPU drivers and GeForce Experience installer software. This weakness stems from improper permission handling during the installation process, specifically concerning the package extraction path where installer components are decompressed and deployed to the system. The flaw affects all versions of NVIDIA's GPU software suite and GeForce Experience installer, making it particularly widespread and concerning for system security. The vulnerability operates at the file system level where the installer fails to establish appropriate access controls on temporary directories used during the extraction phase, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installer's failure to properly set file permissions on the extraction path, which typically occurs in temporary directories such as those under the Windows Temp folder or similar system locations. When the installer decompresses package contents, it creates directories with overly permissive access controls that allow any user account to modify or replace critical files within the installation tree. This permission misconfiguration enables a local, non-privileged user to substitute legitimate executable files with malicious counterparts, effectively creating a persistent backdoor or code injection vector. The flaw operates under the common weakness classification of CWE-276, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for a resource, making it a direct example of poor access control implementation in software installation processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and persistent access. An attacker with low-privilege access can exploit this condition to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining complete control over the affected system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to initiate and can be automated through various exploitation techniques. Once exploited, the malicious code can establish persistence mechanisms, escalate further through additional attack chains, or simply maintain access to the compromised system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how installer-based weaknesses can be leveraged for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0317 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term prevention measures. The most direct solution involves updating to the latest NVIDIA driver versions and GeForce Experience installer releases that address this permission handling flaw. System administrators should implement strict file system monitoring and access control policies, particularly around temporary directories and installation paths used by third-party software. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that installation processes create temporary directories with minimal necessary permissions and that these directories are properly cleaned up after installation completion. Additionally, endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file modification patterns in system directories, and regular security audits should verify that installation processes properly implement secure temporary file handling practices. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized binaries in system directories, providing an additional layer of defense against this type of privilege escalation attack.