CVE-2020-12385 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Improper input validation in some Intel(R) Graphics Drivers before version 26.20.100.8141 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-12385 resides within Intel(R) Graphics Drivers and represents a critical security flaw that could enable privilege escalation through local access. This issue affects versions prior to 26.20.100.8141 and demonstrates a failure in proper input validation mechanisms within the graphics driver component. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation vector indicates that a malicious actor with local system access could potentially elevate their privileges to gain higher-level system access. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the driver level where system privileges are most sensitive and where exploitation could lead to complete system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the graphics driver's insufficient validation of input parameters that are processed during graphics operations. When a privileged user executes specific operations that interact with the graphics driver, the system fails to properly validate the inputs received, creating potential attack vectors for privilege escalation. This improper input validation directly maps to CWE-20, which defines weaknesses in input validation as a fundamental security flaw that can lead to various exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's local access requirement means that an attacker must already have a foothold on the system, but the privilege escalation aspect significantly amplifies the potential impact of such access. The graphics driver context suggests that exploitation could occur through various graphics-intensive applications or system calls that interact with the GPU subsystem.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running affected Intel graphics drivers, particularly in enterprise environments where privileged accounts are common. The local privilege escalation capability means that even if an attacker initially gains access through a low-privilege account, they could potentially use this vulnerability to escalate to system-level privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user systems or environments where users might have legitimate access to graphics-intensive applications. The attack surface includes any application or system process that interacts with the graphics driver, potentially affecting everything from standard office applications to specialized graphics rendering software. The vulnerability's presence in graphics drivers also means that exploitation could occur through various legitimate system functions, making detection and prevention more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-12385 primarily focus on updating to the patched version 26.20.100.8141 or later, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the graphics driver component. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running in high-security environments where privileged access is common. Additional mitigations include implementing least privilege principles to limit local user access, monitoring system logs for unusual graphics driver activity, and ensuring that system updates are applied promptly. The vulnerability's mapping to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' indicates that this weakness could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections for graphics driver components and monitoring for abnormal behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of graphics driver configurations and access controls are recommended to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.