CVE-2020-12367 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Integer overflow in some Intel(R) Graphics Drivers before version 26.20.100.8476 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-12367 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Intel Graphics Drivers affecting versions prior to 26.20.100.8476. This vulnerability resides in the graphics driver component that manages hardware acceleration and rendering operations for Intel GPU architectures. The flaw manifests when the driver processes certain input parameters that exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the integer data type used in the affected code paths. Such overflow conditions can occur during memory allocation calculations, buffer size determinations, or other arithmetic operations within the graphics processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for privilege escalation through local access, meaning an attacker with user-level privileges can potentially elevate their access rights to system-level privileges. The integer overflow occurs in kernel-mode driver components where insufficient bounds checking is performed on user-supplied data or calculated values. When an integer overflow occurs in memory management routines, it can lead to memory corruption that may be exploited to overwrite critical data structures or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions that can result in memory corruption and privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to systems running affected Intel graphics drivers, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems. The exploitation requires local system access, making it less suitable for remote attacks but still dangerous in scenarios where attackers have physical access or have already compromised a user account. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can potentially allow attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to systems. The vulnerability affects Intel graphics hardware including integrated graphics solutions found in laptops, desktops, and servers, making it widespread across various computing platforms.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows a pattern where the attacker crafts specific inputs that trigger the integer overflow condition during graphics processing operations. Attackers may leverage this through applications that utilize hardware acceleration, graphics rendering APIs, or direct GPU memory operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the T1068 category, specifically targeting local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a significant attack surface that could be leveraged by sophisticated adversaries. The mitigation strategy involves updating to Intel Graphics Driver version 26.20.100.8476 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and overflow protection mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as user access restrictions, monitoring for unusual graphics driver behavior, and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts.