CVE-2019-5147 in ATIDXX64.DLL
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver, version 26.20.13003.1007. A specially crafted pixel shader can cause a denial of service. 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 • 03/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5147 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the AMD ATIDXX64.DLL graphics driver component, specifically affecting version 26.20.13003.1007. This issue resides in the Windows graphics subsystem and manifests through the handling of pixel shaders, which are small programs that determine how individual pixels are rendered on screen. The flaw occurs when the driver processes specially crafted pixel shader files, leading to memory access violations that can result in system instability and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway involves the execution of malicious shader code that pushes the graphics driver beyond its intended memory boundaries, potentially causing the driver to crash or behave unpredictably. This issue demonstrates the complex interaction between graphics hardware drivers and virtualized environments, particularly when guest operating systems execute graphics-intensive applications that utilize shader programs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the AMD graphics driver's shader processing routines. When the ATIDXX64.DLL component receives a pixel shader containing malformed or oversized data structures, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before attempting to access memory locations. This deficiency creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious shader files that exploit the driver's insufficient validation mechanisms, resulting in memory access violations that can trigger system crashes or denial of service conditions. The out-of-bounds read occurs during the parsing and execution of graphics shader instructions, where the driver attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in virtualized environments where the graphics driver operates in a shared memory space between guest and host systems, creating potential attack vectors that could affect the entire virtualization infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5147 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the stability and security of entire virtualized computing environments. In VMware guest systems, the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate graphics processing operations that occur during normal application execution, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments that rely heavily on virtualization technologies. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the graphics driver to crash, leading to application failures, system hangs, or complete system restarts that disrupt user productivity and service availability. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability can be triggered from within guest operating systems, meaning that malicious actors could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to host systems or escalate privileges within the virtualized environment. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting virtualized infrastructure, as it provides a potential pathway for privilege escalation or persistent access to critical systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5147 should focus on immediate driver updates and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation. The most effective approach involves updating the AMD graphics driver to a version that contains patches addressing the out-of-bounds read vulnerability, which typically includes improved bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual graphics driver behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. In virtualized environments, administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as restricted graphics driver access, sandboxed graphics execution environments, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in the graphics stack. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers graphics execution through shader programs, making it important for security teams to monitor for unusual graphics processing activities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly in environments where guest systems have elevated privileges or access to sensitive data. Regular patch management processes should include verification of graphics driver updates to ensure complete protection against this and similar vulnerabilities in the graphics driver stack.