CVE-2018-10229 in JavaScript WebGL API
Summary
by MITRE
A hardware vulnerability in GPU memory modules allows attackers to accelerate micro-architectural attacks through the use of the JavaScript WebGL API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
This vulnerability represents a sophisticated hardware-software attack vector that exploits weaknesses in GPU memory management systems through web-based interfaces. The flaw resides in the interaction between hardware memory controllers and JavaScript execution environments, specifically leveraging the WebGL API to manipulate memory access patterns. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious web content that triggers specific memory operations within GPU memory modules, effectively creating a pathway for accelerated micro-architectural attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates how modern hardware security models can be bypassed through seemingly benign web APIs, creating a bridge between low-level memory operations and high-level scripting environments. This represents a convergence of hardware-level security concerns with software-based attack surfaces, particularly relevant to the growing intersection of web technologies and hardware security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits memory module characteristics that allow attackers to infer sensitive information through timing variations and cache behavior patterns. Through the WebGL API, malicious JavaScript code can perform operations that cause predictable memory access sequences, enabling side-channel attacks that would normally require direct hardware-level access. The vulnerability specifically targets GPU memory controllers' handling of memory requests and cache line operations, where attackers can manipulate these processes to extract information about memory contents or system states. This exploitation requires understanding of both GPU memory architecture and JavaScript execution patterns, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within legitimate web browsing contexts. The vulnerability falls under the category of cache-based side-channel attacks and aligns with attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under the 'Credential Access' and 'Execution' phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond traditional web security boundaries, affecting systems that rely on GPU acceleration for performance-critical operations. Organizations using web-based applications with GPU acceleration capabilities face significant risks, as the attack can potentially extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain isolated. The vulnerability affects not only desktop systems but also mobile devices and servers that utilize WebGL for rendering operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform information leakage attacks that compromise user data, session tokens, or cryptographic keys stored in GPU memory. The accelerated nature of these attacks means that the time required to extract sensitive information is significantly reduced compared to traditional side-channel methods, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where data protection is critical.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach addressing both hardware and software components. Organizations should implement WebGL API restrictions and monitor for suspicious memory access patterns within GPU memory modules. Browser vendors need to update their WebGL implementations to limit access to memory operations that could enable such attacks, while system administrators should consider disabling WebGL when not required for legitimate business operations. Hardware manufacturers must address the underlying memory controller vulnerabilities through firmware updates or design modifications. The mitigation approach should align with industry standards such as those defined in the CWE database for memory access control issues and should incorporate defensive measures against cache-based side-channel attacks. Regular security assessments should include testing for such vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where GPU acceleration is prevalent and sensitive data processing occurs.