CVE-2018-6250 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape where a NULL pointer dereference occurs which may lead to denial of service or possible escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6250 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver component, specifically affecting the kernel mode layer through the nvlddmkm.sys module. This flaw manifests in the DxgkDdiEscape handler where a NULL pointer dereference condition can be exploited by malicious actors. The issue represents a critical security weakness that impacts the stability and security posture of Windows systems utilizing NVIDIA graphics hardware. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation opportunities exist, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to elevate their system access rights.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the DxgkDdiEscape function call processing within the kernel mode driver. When certain escape sequences are passed to this handler, the driver fails to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing them, leading to a NULL pointer dereference condition. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is a well-documented software weakness that can result in system crashes or potentially more severe consequences. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the graphics kernel execution context where the driver operates with elevated privileges, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system availability and security integrity. A successful exploitation could result in denial of service conditions where the graphics subsystem becomes unresponsive, requiring system reboot to restore functionality. However, the more concerning aspect is the potential for privilege escalation, which could allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level access. This capability fundamentally undermines the security model of Windows systems and could enable attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, or extract sensitive information from protected memory regions. The attack surface is particularly broad as any application or process that interacts with the graphics driver through the DxgkDdiEscape interface could potentially trigger this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6250 should focus on immediate patch management and system hardening approaches. The primary recommendation involves applying the official NVIDIA driver updates that address this specific vulnerability, which typically include enhanced input validation and proper pointer checking mechanisms within the DxgkDdiEscape handler. Organizations should also implement runtime protection measures such as kernel-mode driver validation and monitoring for suspicious graphics driver activity. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers could leverage it to establish persistence within the kernel space. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to limit which graphics-related applications can interact with the vulnerable driver interface, while also monitoring for unusual graphics processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date graphics drivers and implementing comprehensive security monitoring across all system components that interact with kernel-level drivers.