CVE-2017-0343 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) where user can trigger a race condition due to lack of synchronization in two functions leading to a 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-2017-0343 represents a critical flaw within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver ecosystem specifically affecting the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This issue manifests as a race condition stemming from inadequate synchronization mechanisms within two distinct functions operating at the kernel level. The fundamental nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the domain of kernel-mode privilege escalation and denial of service threats that can severely impact system stability and security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a race condition scenario where concurrent execution paths within the kernel mode driver fail to properly coordinate their access to shared resources or state variables. When user-mode applications interact with the graphics subsystem through the NVIDIA driver, they can potentially trigger the problematic code paths that lack proper mutual exclusion mechanisms. This synchronization failure creates a window where multiple execution threads can simultaneously access or modify critical driver data structures, leading to unpredictable behavior that may result in system crashes or unauthorized privilege elevation. The vulnerability specifically targets the nvlddmkm.sys module which serves as the primary interface between user-mode graphics applications and the underlying GPU hardware, making it a prime target for exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where GPU acceleration is extensively utilized. The potential for denial of service means that legitimate users could experience system instability or complete system crashes during graphics-intensive operations, while the privilege escalation aspect opens pathways for attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability affects all versions of the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, indicating that organizations running any variant of the affected driver are potentially exposed to exploitation. The kernel-mode nature of the flaw means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete control over the target system, as the driver operates with the highest privilege level available to user-mode components.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0343 primarily center around updating to patched versions of the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver where the synchronization issues have been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of vendor security updates. Additionally, system administrators can consider implementing runtime protections such as driver signature enforcement and kernel-mode code integrity checks to reduce the attack surface. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362 which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel-mode exploits. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499 which involves denial of service attacks targeting system resources, making it a multi-faceted threat requiring layered defensive approaches. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous driver behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.