CVE-2019-5665 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display driver contains a vulnerability in the 3D vision component in which the stereo service software, when opening a file, does not check for hard links. This behavior may lead to code execution, denial of service or escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5665 resides within NVIDIA's Windows GPU Display driver, specifically within the 3D vision component that handles stereo service software operations. This flaw manifests when the stereo service attempts to open files without properly validating hard link structures, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The issue falls under the category of improper input validation and lacks proper file system access controls that should be implemented when handling file operations in privileged contexts. The vulnerability represents a significant security concern as it could potentially allow unauthorized code execution or privilege escalation within the Windows operating system environment where NVIDIA drivers are installed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the stereo service software's failure to perform adequate checks on file hard links during the file opening process. Hard links represent multiple directory entries that point to the same inode on a file system, and when not properly validated, they can create scenarios where an attacker might manipulate file access patterns to gain unintended privileges or execute arbitrary code. This flaw specifically impacts the file handling mechanism within the 3D vision stereo service, which is designed to manage stereoscopic 3D display functionality for compatible hardware. The lack of hard link validation creates a condition where an attacker could potentially craft malicious file structures that bypass normal access controls and execute code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5665 extends across multiple security domains including privilege escalation, code execution, and denial of service conditions. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow a local attacker with limited system access to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level, thereby gaining complete control over the affected Windows system. The potential for code execution means that malicious payloads could be loaded and executed without user interaction, while the denial of service component could disrupt normal system operations by causing the stereo service to crash or become unresponsive. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running NVIDIA graphics drivers with 3D vision capabilities, making it relevant to gaming systems, professional workstations, and enterprise environments where stereoscopic display functionality is utilized.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5665 should focus on immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, which would include patches addressing the hard link validation issue within the stereo service component. System administrators should implement the latest NVIDIA GPU driver releases that contain the necessary security fixes, as these updates typically include enhanced file system access controls and improved validation mechanisms. Additionally, security configurations should include monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around 3D vision related services. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior in the stereo service processes. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code within the graphics processing context, aligning with defense-in-depth strategies recommended by cybersecurity frameworks such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-778 (Insufficient Logging) and CWE-22 (Path Traversal) as the improper handling of file system references without adequate validation creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate file access paths. The attack surface aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) when exploited within the Windows environment. The remediation approach should incorporate both vendor-specific patches and general security hardening practices that address the root cause of the hard link validation failure in the stereo service implementation.