CVE-2018-6252 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer handler for DxgkDdiEscape where the software allows an actor access to restricted functionality that is unnecessary to production usage, and which may result in denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6252 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, specifically within the kernel mode layer handler known as DxgkDdiEscape. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables unauthorized access to restricted functionality within the graphics driver's kernel component. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, making it particularly concerning for operating system security. The kernel mode handler DxgkDdiEscape is designed to process escape sequences that allow communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode driver components, but this particular implementation contains a flaw that permits exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and access control mechanisms within the DxgkDdiEscape handler. When legitimate applications or malicious actors invoke this kernel mode function, the driver fails to properly verify the privileges and intentions of the calling process. This improper access control allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within kernel context, potentially gaining elevated privileges that should be restricted to system-level operations only. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows operating system environment where NVIDIA graphics drivers are installed, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that can compromise the entire system. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where standard user-mode protections are bypassed.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6252 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt system operations. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can cause system instability through kernel memory corruption or resource exhaustion, leading to system crashes, blue screen errors, or complete system lockups. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can be leveraged by malicious actors to create persistent disruptions in enterprise environments where graphics processing is critical for operations. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in the kernel mode layer means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as the attacker gains access to all system resources and can potentially exfiltrate sensitive data or install persistent backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6252 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, which would contain patches addressing the improper access control in the DxgkDdiEscape handler. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of kernel-mode activity and establish baseline behaviors for graphics driver operations to detect anomalous activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, making it essential for organizations to maintain robust endpoint detection and response capabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict access to graphics driver interfaces and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other kernel-mode components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege validation in system-level software.