CVE-2020-12895 in Graphics Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
Pool/Heap Overflow in AMD Graphics Driver for Windows 10 in Escape 0x110037 may lead to escalation of privilege, information disclosure or denial of service.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2021
This vulnerability exists within the AMD graphics driver implementation for Windows 10 systems, specifically affecting the kernel-mode component responsible for handling graphics-related operations through the escape mechanism. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow occurring during the processing of escape code 0x110037, which is part of the AMD driver's interface for communicating with user-space applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking when processing user-supplied data within the driver's memory management routines, allowing an attacker to manipulate heap memory structures through crafted input parameters. This particular escape code is designed to facilitate communication between graphics applications and the driver's kernel components, making it a critical entry point for privilege escalation attacks. The heap overflow condition arises when the driver fails to properly validate the size of incoming data structures, particularly those related to graphics command buffers and memory allocation requests. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the kernel space context, where any memory corruption can potentially lead to system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting maliciously crafted escape parameters that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten with controlled data. The technical implementation involves the driver's handling of graphics memory management operations, where insufficient input validation allows for arbitrary memory writes that can corrupt critical kernel data structures. This flaw is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration category as a buffer overflow vulnerability, specifically related to heap-based memory corruption that enables privilege escalation. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that legitimate graphics applications frequently use these escape codes, making exploitation more likely in real-world scenarios. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who gains kernel-level access through this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially leading to persistent backdoor installation, credential theft, or complete system takeover. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability allows for the extraction of sensitive kernel memory contents, including encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. Additionally, the denial of service component can be leveraged to crash the graphics subsystem or even cause complete system instability, rendering the affected system unusable. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges initially, as the escape mechanism is typically accessible to regular users, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where graphics applications are commonly used. The attack vector involves crafting specific escape parameters that trigger the buffer overflow condition when processed by the AMD graphics driver in kernel mode. This requires understanding of the driver's internal memory layout and the specific escape code implementation details. The vulnerability affects AMD graphics drivers installed on Windows 10 systems, particularly those supporting DirectX and OpenGL graphics APIs. The exploitation process typically involves a series of memory manipulation steps that leverage the heap overflow to overwrite critical data structures or function pointers. The driver's handling of graphics memory allocation and command processing creates an environment where the buffer overflow can be weaponized to achieve arbitrary code execution. Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as part of the broader category of kernel-mode exploits that target graphics driver components, with similar patterns observed in other AMD driver vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and kernel exploitation, where adversaries leverage driver-level weaknesses to gain elevated system access. Mitigation strategies include immediate driver updates from AMD to address the heap overflow condition, along with implementing system-wide security measures such as kernel patch protection and exploit prevention mechanisms. Users should also consider disabling unnecessary graphics features and limiting the execution of untrusted graphics applications that might trigger the vulnerable escape code. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where graphics-intensive applications are common, as it provides a pathway for attackers to gain persistent access to critical systems. Organizations should prioritize patch management for AMD graphics drivers and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The underlying flaw demonstrates the complexity of kernel-mode security and the importance of rigorous input validation in driver code.