CVE-2019-5692 in Windows GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, all versions, contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape in which the product uses untrusted input when calculating or using an array index, which may lead to escalation of privileges or denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5692 resides within the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw specifically affects all versions of the driver and represents a critical security weakness that impacts the Windows operating system's graphics subsystem. The vulnerability manifests in the DxgkDdiEscape handler, which serves as an interface for GPU display driver operations and is integral to the Windows Display Driver Model architecture. This handler processes escape commands that allow applications to communicate directly with the display driver, making it a critical component in the graphics execution pipeline.
The technical flaw constitutes a classic buffer overflow vulnerability stemming from improper input validation within the kernel mode driver. When the DxgkDdiEscape handler processes incoming escape commands, it fails to properly validate or sanitize untrusted input data that is used to calculate array indices. This improper validation allows malicious actors to craft specially crafted escape commands that manipulate the array indexing logic, potentially causing the driver to access memory locations outside the intended bounds. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses issues related to insufficient input validation leading to buffer overflows and memory corruption. The kernel mode nature of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation could result in privilege escalation from user-level processes to kernel-level execution, as the driver operates with the highest privilege level in the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential system compromise and privilege escalation. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges within the target system, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This escalation capability represents a significant threat to system integrity and confidentiality, as kernel-level access provides complete control over system resources and the ability to bypass standard security mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all Windows versions that utilize NVIDIA GPU drivers, making it a widespread concern across enterprise and consumer environments. Additionally, the denial of service aspect means that even unsuccessful exploitation attempts could render the graphics subsystem inoperable, disrupting normal system functionality and potentially causing system crashes or reboots.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5692 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates promptly. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as kernel mode code integrity checks and monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, indicates that defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts and implementing least privilege principles to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls can further reduce the attack surface by limiting the ability of attackers to reach systems with vulnerable NVIDIA drivers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable driver versions and ensure complete remediation across all system components.