CVE-2017-6251 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer handler where a missing permissions check may allow users to gain access to arbitrary physical system memory, which may lead to an escalation of privileges.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6251 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver kernel mode layer, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental security boundaries of Windows operating systems. This issue manifests in the driver's insufficient validation of access permissions within its kernel mode components, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass standard memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the kernel mode handler responsible for managing GPU memory operations, where the absence of proper permission verification allows malicious actors to exploit this weakness and gain direct access to physical system memory. Such access represents a severe compromise of system integrity as it enables attackers to read and write to memory locations that should normally be restricted to kernel-level operations only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a flaw in the driver's kernel mode layer where the system fails to properly validate user permissions before allowing memory access operations. When a user-space application attempts to interact with GPU memory through the display driver, the kernel mode handler should enforce strict permission checks to ensure that only authorized processes can access specific memory regions. However, due to the missing permission validation, any user with access to the system can potentially craft malicious requests that bypass these security controls and gain access to arbitrary physical memory locations. This flaw falls under the CWE-284 permission checking category, specifically addressing inadequate access control mechanisms within kernel mode drivers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where the security model of the operating system is fundamentally compromised, allowing for privilege escalation attacks that can elevate user-level processes to full system privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6251 extends far beyond simple memory access violations, as it provides attackers with a potent vector for system compromise and persistent access to critical system resources. Once exploited, an attacker can leverage this vulnerability to access not only GPU memory but also general system memory, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying system data, or installing persistent backdoors. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the exploitation of privileges for system-level access, and T1059, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreters. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform memory dumping operations that can reveal encryption keys, passwords, and other sensitive data stored in system memory, while also providing the capability to inject malicious code directly into kernel space. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where GPU acceleration is commonly used, as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained initial access through other means, providing them with a reliable method for escalating privileges and maintaining persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6251 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures to protect against exploitation of this kernel-level vulnerability. The primary and most effective mitigation involves installing the latest NVIDIA GPU display driver updates that contain patches for the identified permission checking flaw, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. System administrators should also implement the principle of least privilege by restricting user access to GPU-related functionality and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include enabling Windows kernel mode protection features such as Driver Signature Enforcement and Virtualization-based Security, which can provide additional layers of defense against kernel-level exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection technologies like Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layout Randomization to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date driver software and implementing comprehensive security monitoring that can detect anomalous behavior in kernel mode operations, as the lack of proper permission validation creates a fundamental weakness that can be exploited to gain complete system control.