CVE-2017-0341 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contain a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgDdiEscape where user provided input can trigger an access to a pointer that has not been initialized which may lead to denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0341 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver kernel mode component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw specifically affects the DxgDdiEscape handler which processes user-supplied input through the DirectX graphics subsystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the kernel mode driver, creating a condition where uninitialized pointer access can occur during legitimate graphics operations. The issue represents a critical security weakness that bridges the user mode and kernel mode execution contexts, allowing for potential privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious input is passed through the DxgDdiEscape function call, which is part of the Windows Display Driver Model interface. The kernel mode handler fails to properly validate or initialize memory pointers before dereferencing them, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the graphics driver to access invalid memory locations. This flaw aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and potentially CWE-121 which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions in kernel mode components. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the affected NVIDIA Windows GPU drivers, making it particularly concerning as it affects a broad user base without distinction of driver version.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system security and stability. The potential for denial of service means that an attacker could crash the graphics subsystem or even the entire operating system through carefully crafted graphics operations. More critically, the uninitialized pointer access creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where malicious code could potentially elevate its execution context from user mode to kernel mode. This would allow attackers to bypass system security controls and gain full administrative access to vulnerable systems. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems with NVIDIA graphics hardware, including desktops, laptops, and servers that utilize NVIDIA GPU acceleration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0341 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, as the company released patches to address 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 unusual graphics driver behavior and potential exploitation attempts through the DirectX interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel mode security practices and proper input validation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and restricted user permissions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security assessments of kernel mode components and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent uninitialized memory access conditions in privileged execution contexts.