CVE-2020-6103 in Radeon DirectX 11 Driver
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the Shader functionality of AMD Radeon DirectX 11 Driver atidxx64.dll 26.20.15019.19000. An attacker can provide a a specially crafted shader file to trigger this vulnerability, resulting in code execution. This vulnerability can be triggered from a HYPER-V guest using the RemoteFX feature, leading to executing the vulnerable code on the HYPER-V host (inside of the rdvgm.exe process). Theoretically this vulnerability could be also triggered from web browser (using webGL and webassembly).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6103 represents a critical code execution flaw within AMD Radeon DirectX 11 Driver components, specifically affecting the atidxx64.dll module version 26.20.15019.19000. This issue resides in the shader processing functionality of the graphics driver, which forms a crucial component in the Windows graphics rendering pipeline. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the shader compilation and execution processes, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote code execution in privileged contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of shader files that are processed by the affected driver component. When a malicious shader file is loaded and executed, the improper memory handling causes a buffer overflow or arbitrary code execution within the driver's memory space. The vulnerability specifically impacts the HYPER-V environment where RemoteFX graphics acceleration is utilized, enabling attackers to execute code within the rdvgm.exe process on the host system. This cross-container execution capability represents a severe privilege escalation vector as it allows guest operating systems to potentially compromise the host environment through the graphics driver interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond traditional desktop environments into virtualized computing scenarios, where the attack surface expands significantly. The ability to trigger execution from a HYPER-V guest demonstrates the potential for container escape attacks, where guest systems can leverage graphics driver flaws to execute code on the host system. This particular attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Remote Services" tactics. Additionally, the vulnerability's potential for web-based exploitation through WebGL and WebAssembly implementations creates a broader attack surface that could be leveraged by threat actors targeting web browsers and web applications.
The security implications of CVE-2020-6103 are particularly concerning given that it affects graphics drivers that operate at a kernel level and maintain persistent access to system resources. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 (Buffer Overflow) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) demonstrates the fundamental memory safety issues that enable arbitrary code execution. This flaw represents a significant concern for enterprise environments that rely on virtualization technologies and graphics-intensive applications, as it provides attackers with a path to establish persistent access to systems through the graphics driver subsystem. Mitigation strategies should include immediate driver updates from AMD, implementation of virtualization security controls, and monitoring for anomalous graphics processing activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability's exploitation potential through multiple attack vectors including HYPER-V guest-to-host execution and web-based interfaces underscores the need for comprehensive security measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to graphics-intensive services, deploy endpoint protection solutions that monitor for suspicious graphics driver activity, and maintain up-to-date driver management policies. The ATT&CK framework's relevance extends to defensive measures, where security teams should focus on monitoring for privilege escalation attempts and unusual graphics processing patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of supply chain security and vendor responsibility in maintaining secure graphics driver implementations, particularly in virtualized environments where graphics acceleration is essential for performance.