CVE-2020-12372 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Unchecked return value in some Intel(R) Graphics Drivers before version 26.20.100.8141 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
This vulnerability resides in Intel graphics drivers where an unchecked return value creates a potential denial of service condition. The flaw affects versions prior to 26.20.100.8141 and specifically targets privileged users who can leverage this weakness through local access. The technical implementation involves a function call that does not properly validate or handle the return code from a system operation, creating an execution path where failure conditions are not appropriately managed. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-252 category of unchecked return values, which represents a fundamental programming error where developers fail to verify that system calls or function returns succeed before continuing execution. The vulnerability exists within the graphics driver component of Intel's hardware stack, which operates at a privileged level and interacts directly with system resources. When a function fails to return successfully, the driver continues execution without proper error handling, potentially leading to system instability or complete denial of service. The attack vector requires local access and elevated privileges, making it less accessible than remote exploits but still concerning for systems where privilege escalation is possible. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the system by potentially causing the graphics subsystem to crash or become unresponsive, affecting user experience and system functionality. The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption as graphics drivers are integral to system operation, particularly in enterprise environments where display functionality is critical for user interaction and system monitoring. Organizations running affected Intel graphics drivers face potential operational risks including unexpected system shutdowns, display corruption, or complete system lockups that require manual intervention to restore normal operation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as it enables an attacker with local access to disrupt system functionality. This vulnerability also represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks where initial access might be gained through other means, and the graphics driver vulnerability could be leveraged to maintain persistence or escalate privileges further. The security implications extend to systems where graphics functionality is heavily utilized, such as workstations, servers with integrated graphics, or virtualized environments where graphics drivers are critical components of the virtual desktop infrastructure. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as part of their regular security maintenance procedures to prevent potential exploitation by adversaries who might attempt to leverage the denial of service capability for more extensive attacks. The remediation process involves updating to Intel graphics driver version 26.20.100.8141 or later, which includes proper return value checking mechanisms that prevent the execution path from continuing when system calls fail. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that all systems with Intel graphics hardware are updated to mitigate this risk. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling in system-level code and highlights how seemingly minor programming oversights can lead to significant availability impacts in critical system components.