CVE-2018-12214 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Potential memory corruption in Kernel Mode Driver in Intel(R) Graphics Driver for Windows* before versions 10.18.x.5059 (aka 15.33.x.5059), 10.18.x.5057 (aka 15.36.x.5057), 20.19.x.5063 (aka 15.40.x.5063) 21.20.x.5064 (aka 15.45.x.5064) and 24.20.100.6373 potentially enables a privileged user to execute arbitrary code via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the kernel mode driver component of Intel's graphics driver for windows operating systems. The issue affects multiple versions of the graphics driver including 10.18.x series, 20.19.x series, 21.20.x series, and 24.20.100.6373, with specific affected releases such as 15.33.x.5059, 15.36.x.5057, 15.40.x.5063, 15.45.x.5064, and the corresponding version 24.20.100.6373. The vulnerability exists in the kernel mode driver responsible for graphics processing and hardware acceleration, creating a potential privilege escalation vector that could allow local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical flaw stems from improper memory handling within the kernel mode driver that processes graphics-related operations. When processing certain graphics commands or data structures, the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or manage memory allocation, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the driver does not adequately check bounds of memory operations or fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it in kernel space. The flaw allows an attacker with local access to manipulate memory locations that should remain protected, potentially corrupting critical kernel data structures or executing malicious code with kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation attacks that can compromise the entire system. An attacker with low-privilege user access can exploit this vulnerability to gain kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard operating system security controls. Once escalated to kernel mode, the attacker gains complete control over the system, including the ability to install malware, modify system files, access all user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only local access, making it exploitable from within the compromised system without requiring network connectivity or additional attack vectors. This characteristic aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where local privilege escalation is often a preferred initial compromise vector due to its accessibility and high impact.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate driver updates to versions that address the memory corruption issues, as recommended by intel security advisories. Organizations should prioritize patch management to deploy the latest graphics driver versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement least privilege principles, limiting local user access and monitoring for unusual kernel-level activities. The vulnerability classification aligns with common weakness enumeration cwes 121, 125, and 119 which cover buffer overflows and memory safety issues in kernel mode components. Security monitoring should include detection of kernel-level anomalies and unusual memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions should also be employed to provide additional defense layers against potential exploitation attempts, as outlined in the mitre attack framework's privilege escalation techniques that often involve kernel mode exploitation.