CVE-2019-5680 in Jetson TX1 L4T
Summary
by MITRE
In NVIDIA Jetson TX1 L4T R32 version branch prior to R32.2, Tegra bootloader contains a vulnerability in nvtboot in which the nvtboot-cpu image is loaded without the load address first being validated, which may lead to code execution, denial of service, or escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5680 affects the NVIDIA Jetson TX1 platform running Tegra Linux Driver Package (L4T) versions prior to R32.2. This issue resides within the nvtboot component of the bootloader, specifically in the nvtboot-cpu image loading mechanism. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the boot process and potentially compromises the entire system security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of load addresses during the boot process. When the nvtboot-cpu image is loaded into memory, the system fails to verify that the designated load address is valid and appropriate for the intended operation. This absence of address validation creates an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the boot process by providing crafted load addresses that could redirect execution flow. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-122 as "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw essentially allows for arbitrary code execution during the early boot phase when system security controls are most limited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains including privilege escalation, denial of service, and potential code execution. An attacker who can influence the boot process or gain access to the system during the vulnerable window could leverage this weakness to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The implications are particularly severe given that this occurs during the bootloader phase, which is typically the most privileged and least monitored portion of the system. The vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security measures, install persistent backdoors, or completely compromise the device's integrity, making it a critical concern for any production environment relying on Jetson TX1 platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5680 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to R32.2 or later versions where NVIDIA has addressed the validation issue. Organizations should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of bootloader components and establish monitoring for suspicious boot process activities. The remediation process involves verifying that all system components are running patched firmware versions and conducting thorough security assessments of the boot environment. Additionally, implementing hardware security modules and secure boot mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that the load address validation has been properly implemented and maintained throughout the system lifecycle.