CVE-2017-0319 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contain a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer handler where improper handling of values may cause a denial of service on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0319 affects NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Drivers across all versions, representing a critical weakness in the kernel mode layer handler component of the graphics driver architecture. This flaw resides within the core operating system interaction mechanisms that manage GPU hardware resources and display functionality. The vulnerability manifests when the driver fails to properly validate or handle specific input values passed to kernel mode components, creating a potential pathway for system instability. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when the system processes improperly validated data. The kernel mode layer serves as the bridge between user applications and hardware resources, making it a prime target for exploitation attempts that seek to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the display driver kernel mode component where input validation mechanisms fail to adequately process certain parameter values. When malicious or malformed inputs are passed through the kernel mode handler, the system may experience unexpected behavior leading to complete system denial of service. This condition typically manifests as system crashes, blue screen errors, or complete system lockups that require manual intervention or reboot cycles. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a fundamental flaw in the driver's security architecture that could potentially be exploited to escalate privileges or achieve arbitrary code execution in certain scenarios. Attackers leveraging this weakness could craft specific GPU-related operations that trigger the flawed validation logic, causing the system to become unresponsive or fail entirely.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where GPU acceleration is heavily utilized for rendering graphics, video processing, and compute-intensive applications. The denial of service condition can affect critical business operations, particularly in environments relying on consistent display functionality for user interfaces, virtual desktop infrastructure, or high-performance computing clusters. The vulnerability's presence in all versions of the driver means that organizations cannot simply patch or update to avoid the issue, as any affected system running the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver remains at risk. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in large-scale deployments where manual driver version verification and patch management processes may be incomplete or delayed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0319 primarily focus on immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, which address the kernel mode handling flaws through proper input validation and error management. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures that prioritize driver updates, particularly in environments where GPU resources are actively utilized. The vulnerability's nature aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of local privilege escalation techniques, though the immediate impact is denial of service rather than privilege elevation. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual GPU-related system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for anomalous kernel mode operations and potential exploitation patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include verification of driver versions and proper validation of kernel mode component behavior to ensure that systems remain protected against this and similar vulnerabilities.