CVE-2017-5692 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Out-of-bounds read condition in older versions of some Intel Graphics Driver for Windows code branches allows local users to perform a denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5692 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition affecting older versions of Intel Graphics Drivers for Windows operating systems. This flaw exists within the graphics driver code branches and manifests as a memory access violation that occurs when the driver processes certain input data structures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables local users to exploit the driver's memory handling mechanisms to trigger unexpected behavior that can lead to system instability. The out-of-bounds read condition occurs when the graphics driver fails to properly validate input parameters or buffer boundaries during processing of graphics-related operations, allowing malicious code to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure, system crashes, or potential privilege escalation scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the graphics driver's failure to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes when processing graphics commands or rendering operations. When a local user executes specific graphics operations that trigger the affected code paths, the driver's memory management routines attempt to read data from memory locations that are outside the allocated buffer boundaries. This can cause the driver to access invalid memory addresses, leading to system crashes or denial of service conditions that prevent normal graphics functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the graphics driver context, which typically runs with elevated privileges and has direct access to hardware resources. The exploitation requires local system access but can result in significant operational impact by rendering the graphics subsystem unusable and potentially causing complete system instability. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to repeatedly trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, creating persistent denial of service scenarios that can affect both individual user sessions and broader system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5692 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential system reliability issues and user experience degradation. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause graphics driver crashes that result in screen flickering, display corruption, or complete system lockups. This affects not only the graphics rendering capabilities but also impacts the overall stability of Windows systems, particularly in enterprise environments where consistent system performance is critical. The vulnerability's local exploitation requirement means that it cannot be used for remote attacks, but it does represent a significant risk in scenarios where malicious users have local access to systems. Organizations using affected Intel graphics drivers may experience frequent system crashes, requiring manual driver restarts or system reboots to restore normal functionality. The vulnerability also impacts system availability by creating conditions where graphics-intensive applications cannot function properly, potentially affecting productivity in environments that rely heavily on visual computing tasks. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and represents a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access through system instability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5692 primarily focus on timely driver updates and system patch management. Intel released security updates that addressed the out-of-bounds read condition by implementing proper input validation and buffer boundary checks within the graphics driver code. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest Intel Graphics Drivers that contain the security patches, particularly those released after the vulnerability disclosure. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting local user access to graphics-intensive applications and monitoring for unusual graphics driver behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current driver versions and implementing robust patch management processes, as older driver versions often contain unpatched vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. Network administrators should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts through system logs and implement automated alerting for graphics driver crashes or unusual memory access patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should include verification of installed graphics driver versions to ensure compliance with security baselines and to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in the graphics subsystem.