CVE-2019-5671 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape in which the software does not release a resource after its effective lifetime has ended, which may lead to denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5671 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, specifically within the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw manifests in the DxgkDdiEscape handler, which represents a critical interface between the graphics driver and the Windows kernel for handling display-related escape commands. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-404, which describes improper resource management where a resource is not released after its effective lifetime has ended, creating potential for resource exhaustion and system instability. The issue occurs at the kernel level where the driver fails to properly clean up allocated resources, leading to a denial of service condition that can severely impact system functionality and user experience.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of resources within the graphics kernel driver's escape command processing mechanism. When the DxgkDdiEscape function processes certain escape sequences, it allocates memory or other system resources to handle the graphics operations but fails to properly deallocate these resources upon completion of their intended use. This resource leak occurs in the kernel mode driver context where the operating system's graphics subsystem interacts with hardware acceleration features. The failure to release resources creates a gradual accumulation of memory or handle leaks that can eventually consume system resources and lead to system crashes or complete denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5671 extends beyond simple system instability to encompass broader security and availability concerns. When the kernel mode driver fails to release resources properly, it can lead to memory exhaustion conditions that cause the graphics subsystem to become unresponsive, resulting in system hangs or blue screen errors. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running NVIDIA graphics drivers where users may experience frequent system crashes, display corruption, or complete system lockups during graphics-intensive operations. The denial of service condition can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt normal system operations, potentially leading to availability attacks against critical infrastructure or user workstations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate driver updates from NVIDIA as the primary solution, with additional operational security measures to reduce exposure risk. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the latest NVIDIA GPU drivers that contain patches for this resource management flaw. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion, though this particular vulnerability operates at the kernel level rather than network protocols. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect resource exhaustion patterns and establish incident response procedures for handling graphics driver-related system crashes. Additionally, maintaining regular driver update schedules and implementing proper change management processes can help prevent exploitation of this and similar kernel-level resource management vulnerabilities that may exist in graphics driver components.