CVE-2018-12154 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE
Denial of Service in Unified Shader Compiler in Intel Graphics Drivers before 10.18.x.5056 (aka 15.33.x.5056), 10.18.x.5057 (aka 15.36.x.5057) and 20.19.x.5058 (aka 15.40.x.5058) may allow an unprivileged user to potentially create an infinite loop and crash an application via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12154 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Intel Graphics Drivers affecting multiple version ranges including 10.18.x.5056, 10.18.x.5057, and 20.19.x.5058. This flaw resides in the Unified Shader Compiler component which is responsible for processing graphics shaders and translating them into executable code for GPU processing units. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an unprivileged user executes locally crafted graphics operations that trigger an infinite loop within the shader compilation process, ultimately leading to application crashes and system instability. This issue impacts Intel graphics drivers released prior to version 10.18.x.5056, which corresponds to Intel Graphics Driver version 15.33.x.5056, 15.36.x.5057, and 15.40.x.5058 respectively, creating a significant security concern for users operating these outdated driver versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific flaw in the shader compiler's handling of certain input parameters during graphics processing. When an application processes malformed or specially crafted shader code, the Unified Shader Compiler enters an infinite loop condition where it repeatedly processes the same compilation steps without proper termination conditions. This infinite loop consumes excessive CPU resources and eventually causes the graphics application to crash or become unresponsive. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and loop boundary checking within the shader compilation pipeline, creating a condition where malformed shader instructions can trigger the compiler to enter an endless execution cycle. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-835, which specifically addresses the issue of infinite loops in software systems, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any local user with minimal privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-12154 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially destabilize entire computing environments. When applications crash due to this vulnerability, users may experience complete system freezes, especially in graphics-intensive applications such as video games, CAD software, or professional rendering tools. The local access requirement means that exploitation does not require network connectivity or remote access privileges, making it particularly concerning for environments where users may have varying levels of system access. Organizations running legacy systems with affected Intel graphics drivers face increased risk of operational disruptions, as the vulnerability can be triggered by legitimate graphics applications that inadvertently use problematic shader code patterns. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where graphics performance is critical for productivity applications, and where the presence of outdated drivers creates potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to disrupt operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12154 primarily focus on driver updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Intel Graphics Drivers version 10.18.x.5056 or later, which contains patches specifically addressing the infinite loop condition in the Unified Shader Compiler. System administrators should implement comprehensive driver update policies to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security patches. Additionally, organizations can implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of graphics applications that may trigger the vulnerability, while monitoring for unusual CPU usage patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack vector is local rather than network-based. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes should be enhanced to detect and remediate similar issues in graphics driver components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and loop termination in graphics processing pipelines.