CVE-2019-5098 in Driver
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver, version 26.20.13001.29010. A specially crafted pixel shader can cause out-of-bounds memory read. An attacker can provide a specially crafted shader file to trigger this vulnerability. This vulnerability can be triggered from VMware guest, affecting VMware host.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5098 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the AMD ATIDXX64.DLL graphics driver component, specifically affecting version 26.20.13001.29010. This issue resides in the Windows graphics subsystem and demonstrates how low-level driver vulnerabilities can create significant security risks across virtualized environments. The flaw occurs within the AMD graphics driver's handling of pixel shaders, which are small programs executed by graphics processing units to determine how pixels should be rendered on screen. When a maliciously crafted pixel shader is processed by the vulnerable driver, it triggers an improper bounds checking mechanism that allows memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the graphics driver's shader processing pipeline. The AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver fails to properly validate the bounds of memory accesses when processing specially crafted pixel shader instructions, creating an opportunity for attackers to read data from arbitrary memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices or buffer bounds. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate graphics processing operations, making detection more challenging for security systems that might not immediately flag normal-looking graphics operations as malicious.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant threat vector for attackers operating within virtualized environments, particularly those utilizing VMware virtual machines. The vulnerability can be exploited from within a VMware guest operating system, allowing attackers to potentially access sensitive data from the host system or other guest VMs. This cross-vm exploitation capability makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for cloud computing environments where multiple tenants share the same physical infrastructure. The attack chain typically involves crafting a malicious pixel shader file that, when processed by the vulnerable graphics driver, causes the out-of-bounds read to occur, potentially exposing memory contents including sensitive information, credentials, or system data.
The impact of CVE-2019-5098 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or remote code execution depending on the specific memory locations accessed. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could extract sensitive information from system memory, potentially including encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability's presence in the graphics driver layer also means that exploitation can occur without requiring direct system-level privileges, making it accessible to attackers with limited initial access. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through kernel-level vulnerabilities. Mitigation efforts should include immediate driver updates from AMD, implementation of virtualization security measures, and monitoring for unusual graphics processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as part of their security maintenance procedures, since the AMD driver update addresses the underlying bounds checking issue that enables the out-of-bounds read. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and network segmentation within virtualized environments can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing for graphics drivers and virtualization components, as these low-level system components often serve as attack vectors that can compromise entire computing environments. Regular security assessments of virtualization platforms should include examination of graphics driver vulnerabilities, as these components frequently represent overlooked security risks in enterprise environments.