CVE-2018-6249 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in kernel mode layer handler where a NULL pointer dereference may lead to denial of service or potential escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6249 resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver's kernel mode layer handler, representing a critical security flaw that affects systems utilizing NVIDIA graphics hardware. This vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs during the processing of specific kernel mode operations. The flaw exists in the driver's handling of graphics processing tasks that require kernel level intervention, particularly when managing display output and graphics rendering operations. The NULL pointer dereference vulnerability typically arises when the driver attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to NULL, creating a scenario where the system crashes or behaves unpredictably.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel mode driver component that manages GPU operations at the system level, where user space applications interact with hardware through kernel interfaces. When certain graphics commands are processed through this kernel handler, the driver fails to properly validate pointer values before dereferencing them, leading to potential system instability. This flaw can be triggered through legitimate graphics operations that are part of normal GPU usage patterns, making it particularly concerning as it may be exploitable by malicious actors who can craft specific graphics workloads to trigger the condition. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it potentially allows for privilege escalation, enabling attackers to elevate their system privileges from standard user level to kernel level access, which represents a significant security risk.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6249 can be severe across multiple deployment scenarios including enterprise environments, gaming systems, and workstation configurations that rely on NVIDIA GPU hardware. A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, access sensitive system information, or maintain persistent access to compromised systems. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate users may experience system crashes, screen freezes, or complete system shutdowns during normal graphics operations, disrupting productivity and potentially causing data loss. Organizations utilizing NVIDIA graphics solutions in mission-critical applications face particular risk as this vulnerability could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt critical operations. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of NVIDIA drivers across different operating systems, making it a widespread concern that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6249 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA as the primary defense mechanism, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the latest driver updates promptly. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual graphics processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and network segmentation should be employed to limit potential lateral movement if compromise occurs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a potential pathway for ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privileges to escalate access. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of graphics-intensive applications that might trigger the vulnerability, while maintaining detailed logging of GPU-related system calls for forensic analysis purposes. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure.