CVE-2020-12363 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Improper input validation in some Intel(R) Graphics Drivers for Windows* before version 26.20.100.7212 and before Linux kernel version 5.5 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable a denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-12363 represents a critical flaw in Intel graphics driver implementations affecting both Windows and Linux operating systems. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the graphics driver code that processes user-supplied data. The flaw specifically impacts Intel graphics drivers released before version 26.20.100.7212 for Windows systems and before Linux kernel version 5.5 for Linux environments. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental security weakness that allows malicious actors to manipulate input data in ways that can compromise system integrity and availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the graphics driver's handling of privileged user inputs, where insufficient validation allows malformed or malicious data to bypass normal security checks. When a privileged user executes specific operations through the graphics subsystem, the driver fails to properly validate the input parameters, potentially allowing the execution of unintended code paths or triggering memory corruption conditions. This flaw operates at the kernel level in Linux systems and within the graphics driver framework on Windows platforms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with elevated privileges to cause system instability or complete denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-12363 extends beyond simple system crashes or restarts, as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that may require system reboot to resolve. Attackers with local privileged access can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt graphics processing capabilities, potentially affecting applications that rely on hardware acceleration or display functionality. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where graphics drivers are integral to system operations, as it can affect user productivity and system availability. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability enables adversaries to perform resource consumption attacks that can lead to system unavailability and service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-12363 primarily focus on updating to patched driver versions that address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should immediately deploy Intel graphics driver updates for Windows systems to version 26.20.100.7212 or later, and ensure Linux systems are updated to kernel version 5.5 or higher where the vulnerability has been resolved. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual graphics driver behavior or potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include restricting local privileged access where possible, implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized graphics driver modifications, and conducting regular security assessments of graphics driver configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date graphics drivers as part of overall system security posture, since graphics drivers often operate with elevated privileges and can serve as attack vectors for privilege escalation or system disruption attacks.