CVE-2017-6252 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer handler where a NULL pointer dereference may lead to a denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6252 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, specifically within the kernel mode layer handler component that manages graphics processing unit operations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that affects systems utilizing NVIDIA graphics hardware in Windows environments. The vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs during the processing of certain driver operations, creating an opportunity for adversaries to exploit the system's graphics processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel mode driver code that handles graphics processing commands. When the driver receives specific malformed or unexpected input parameters through the kernel mode layer, it fails to properly validate whether certain pointers are null before attempting to dereference them. This condition creates a scenario where the operating system kernel crashes or becomes unstable, potentially leading to system denial of service. The flaw exists at the intersection of graphics processing and kernel security, where graphics commands are processed in kernel space rather than user space, amplifying the potential impact of the vulnerability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system availability and potentially system integrity. The NULL pointer dereference can trigger immediate system crashes or blue screen errors, resulting in denial of service conditions that disrupt normal business operations. In more sophisticated attack scenarios, adversaries could potentially leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges from user-level to kernel-level access, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it could enable persistent access to compromised systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of how kernel-level flaws can create severe security implications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging kernel-mode exploits to gain elevated system access. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes any system running affected NVIDIA drivers, particularly those that process graphics-intensive applications or are used in multi-user environments where privilege escalation could provide access to sensitive data and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6252 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, as the company released patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include monitoring system logs for unusual crash patterns or kernel-level errors that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing network segmentation to limit access to graphics-intensive systems, and maintaining regular system backups to facilitate rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized graphics processing applications from running on critical systems, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation of this kernel-level vulnerability.