CVE-2017-6273 in ADSP
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA ADSP Firmware contains a vulnerability in the ADSP Loader component where there is the potential to write to a memory location that is outside the intended boundary of the buffer, which may lead to denial of service or possible escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6273 resides within the NVIDIA ADSP Firmware's ADSP Loader component, representing a critical buffer overflow flaw that undermines system security and stability. This issue manifests when the firmware loader processes data without proper boundary checking, creating opportunities for unauthorized memory manipulation that can compromise the entire system architecture. The vulnerability specifically affects the Audio Data Streaming Processor firmware implementation across various NVIDIA hardware platforms, including mobile devices and embedded systems where audio processing capabilities are integral to device functionality.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of input data within the ADSP Loader's memory management routines, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw enables potential attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, which can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe privilege escalation scenarios. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer, making it susceptible to memory corruption attacks that can be leveraged for system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6273 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability creates pathways for privilege escalation that could allow malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges. When exploited successfully, the memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution within the ADSP context, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate audio processing functions or gain access to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability particularly affects devices running NVIDIA's proprietary ADSP firmware, including smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems where audio processing capabilities are implemented through dedicated hardware components. The attack surface is significant as it targets the firmware level where audio processing occurs, making it difficult to detect and mitigate without comprehensive system updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from NVIDIA to address the buffer boundary checking deficiencies within the ADSP Loader component. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected devices receive security updates promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious audio data processing scenarios. The remediation process involves updating the ADSP firmware to include proper boundary validation mechanisms that prevent memory writes beyond intended buffer limits. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also monitor for related vulnerabilities in similar firmware components and maintain updated threat intelligence to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting the audio processing subsystem. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of firmware security validation and the need for comprehensive security testing across all system components, particularly those handling real-time data processing functions that operate at privileged levels within device architectures.