CVE-2017-5717 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Type Confusion in Content Protection HECI Service in Intel Graphics Driver allows unprivileged user to elevate privileges via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5717 represents a critical type confusion flaw within the Hardware Enablement Components Interface (HECI) service of Intel Graphics Drivers, specifically affecting the content protection functionality. This issue resides in the kernel-level component responsible for managing hardware interfaces between the graphics subsystem and system services, creating a pathway for privilege escalation through local access. The vulnerability manifests when the HECI service fails to properly validate data types during content protection operations, leading to potential memory corruption and unauthorized privilege elevation.
This type confusion vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-472, which specifically addresses external control of system or process parameters. The flaw occurs when the graphics driver service processes user-supplied data without adequate type validation, allowing malicious inputs to be interpreted as different data types than intended. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the privileged context of the HECI service, which typically runs with elevated system privileges to manage hardware components. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious inputs that cause the service to misinterpret data structures, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation from standard user level to system administrator level.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5717 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a significant security weakness in Intel's graphics driver architecture. Systems running affected Intel Graphics Drivers become vulnerable to local attackers who can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Intel Graphics Drivers and impacts various Windows operating systems, making it a widespread concern across enterprise and consumer environments. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves local privilege escalation through system weaknesses, and T1059, which encompasses the use of system services for malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5717 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Intel Graphics Drivers through official Intel security updates or Microsoft Windows updates. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the latest driver versions that contain fixes for the type confusion vulnerability, particularly focusing on systems where local access is possible or where users may have elevated privileges. System administrators should implement additional security controls including user access restrictions, privilege separation, and monitoring for suspicious HECI service activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-level services, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and type checking mechanisms. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit potential exploitation vectors, while regular security assessments should verify that driver updates have been properly applied across all systems. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.