CVE-2017-6269 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape where a pointer passed from a user to the driver is used without validation which may lead to denial of service or possible escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6269 resides within NVIDIA's Windows GPU Display Driver, specifically affecting the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw manifests in the DxgkDdiEscape handler which processes escape commands from user-mode applications to the graphics driver. The core issue stems from insufficient validation of pointers passed from user space to kernel space, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, which represents "Out-of-bounds Write" and specifically relates to improper pointer validation in kernel-mode drivers where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being processed. This type of vulnerability represents a critical security weakness because it operates at the kernel level where privileges are elevated and system integrity is paramount.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious application passes a crafted pointer to the DxgkDdiEscape handler through the Windows Display Driver Model interface. Without proper validation of the pointer's memory location, bounds, or legitimacy, the kernel-mode driver can attempt to access invalid memory addresses or manipulate kernel data structures. This can result in system crashes, denial of service conditions, or in more severe cases, privilege escalation to kernel-level execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning because graphics drivers run with the highest privilege levels on Windows systems, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for system security. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and specifically targets kernel-mode exploits that leverage driver vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where NVIDIA graphics cards are deployed. The potential for denial of service means that legitimate users could experience system instability or complete system crashes, particularly during graphics-intensive operations or gaming scenarios. The privilege escalation aspect creates a more severe threat where attackers could gain administrative control over affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations running Windows systems with NVIDIA GPUs are particularly vulnerable, as the attack requires only local user access or a malicious application to be executed, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network-based security controls. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions and NVIDIA driver releases, with the risk persisting across various deployment scenarios including desktops, workstations, and servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6269 primarily focus on immediate patch management and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves applying the official NVIDIA driver updates that address the pointer validation issue in the DxgkDdiEscape handler. System administrators should implement strict driver update policies to ensure all graphics drivers remain current with security patches. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel-mode driver signature enforcement, which prevents unsigned or untrusted drivers from loading in the kernel space. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential attack surface by restricting user access to graphics-intensive applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing of graphics driver components, particularly in high-security environments where kernel-level exploits pose the greatest risk to system integrity and data confidentiality. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous kernel-mode activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.