CVE-2018-6263 in GeForce Experience
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA GeForce Experience contains a vulnerability in all versions prior to 3.16 on Windows in which an attacker who has access to a local user account can plant a malicious dynamic link library (DLL) during application installation, which may lead to escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6263 resides within NVIDIA GeForce Experience software, a widely deployed application for managing graphics settings and game optimization on windows platforms. This flaw affects all versions prior to 3.16 and represents a significant security concern due to its potential for privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic link library (dll) loading mechanisms during the application installation process, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation process of GeForce Experience where the application fails to properly validate or secure the dynamic link library loading sequence. When a local user account gains access to the system, they can potentially place malicious dll files in strategic locations within the installation directory or system paths. The application's installation routine does not adequately verify the integrity or authenticity of these dll components, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes with elevated privileges. This flaw directly relates to common software security issues such as insecure library loading patterns that are categorized under CWE-427 and CWE-428, which address uncontrolled search path evaluation and insecure library loading respectively.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6263 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain elevated system access that would otherwise require administrative credentials. Once a malicious dll is successfully loaded, the attacker can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised user account, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because GeForce Experience is commonly installed on gaming systems and workstations where users may have elevated privileges or where the software runs with high integrity levels. This creates a scenario where local attackers can leverage the installed software to bypass normal security controls and escalate their access rights within the system.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the application and the system's dynamic link library loading mechanism, which is a common exploitation pattern. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to GeForce Experience version 3.16 or later, which addresses the vulnerability through improved dll loading validation and path security measures. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unauthorized dll files in application directories and implement proper access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure software development practices and proper input validation during installation processes, particularly when dealing with dynamic libraries that may be loaded with elevated privileges.