CVE-2018-19320 in Gigabyte App Center
Summary
by MITRE
The GDrv low-level driver in GIGABYTE APP Center v1.05.21 and earlier, AORUS GRAPHICS ENGINE before 1.57, XTREME GAMING ENGINE before 1.26, and OC GURU II v2.08 exposes ring0 memcpy-like functionality that could allow a local attacker to take complete control of the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19320 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the GIGABYTE APP Center software ecosystem, specifically affecting low-level driver components that operate at kernel ring0 privileges. This vulnerability exists in multiple GIGABYTE software applications including GIGABYTE APP Center version 1.05.21 and earlier, AORUS GRAPHICS ENGINE before version 1.57, XTREME GAMING ENGINE before version 1.26, and OC GURU II v2.08. The flaw stems from the improper implementation of memory copy operations within the GDrv low-level driver, which exposes dangerous kernel-mode functionality to unprivileged users. The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows local attackers to leverage the exposed ring0 memcpy-like functionality to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, effectively bypassing all standard operating system security controls and access restrictions.
The core technical flaw manifests through the improper privilege separation within the GIGABYTE driver architecture, where memory manipulation functions that should only be accessible to kernel-level processes are exposed to user-mode applications. This design flaw creates a direct path for privilege escalation attacks, as the memcpy-like operations in the GDrv driver operate at ring0 level while being callable by regular user processes. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-248, which addresses "Uncaught Exception in a Kernel-Mode Driver," and represents a classic example of improper privilege handling in kernel space. The exposed functionality essentially provides attackers with direct memory manipulation capabilities that could be used to modify critical system structures, inject malicious code, or completely subvert the operating system's security model. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates below the level of standard user-space protections and can bypass most traditional security measures including antivirus software and user access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Once an attacker achieves ring0 access through this vulnerability, they can manipulate the system at the deepest level, potentially installing rootkits, modifying system call tables, or directly accessing hardware resources. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where physical access or user account compromise is possible, such as in corporate settings or shared computing environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, "Local Privilege Escalation," and represents a sophisticated attack path that can be combined with other techniques to achieve persistent system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple GIGABYTE software products, increasing the attack surface and potential exploitation vectors across various gaming and overclocking applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19320 should focus on immediate software updates from GIGABYTE to address the vulnerable driver implementations, as well as comprehensive system hardening measures. Organizations should implement strict software whitelisting policies to prevent installation of vulnerable versions, while also monitoring for unusual kernel-mode activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes updating all affected GIGABYTE applications to their latest versions, which contain patches that properly restrict access to the vulnerable driver functionality. Security teams should also consider implementing kernel-mode exploit detection mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious memory operations that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary GIGABYTE software components, implementing least privilege access controls, and maintaining regular system integrity checks to detect unauthorized modifications to kernel-level components. The vulnerability's nature as a kernel-mode privilege escalation flaw necessitates comprehensive system monitoring and immediate patch deployment to prevent exploitation attempts that could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.