CVE-2021-1082 in Virtual GPU Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 04/30/2021
NVIDIA vGPU software contains a vulnerability in the Virtual GPU Manager (vGPU plugin), in which an input length is not validated, which may lead to information disclosure, tampering of data, or denial of service. vGPU version 12.x (prior to 12.2), version 11.x (prior to 11.4) and version 8.x (prior to 8.7)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1082 affects NVIDIA vGPU software implementations across multiple version branches including 8.x prior to 8.7, 11.x prior to 11.4, and 12.x prior to 12.2. This weakness resides within the Virtual GPU Manager component, specifically within the vGPU plugin module that handles virtual graphics processing unit operations. The core issue manifests as insufficient validation of input length parameters, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity and availability.
This vulnerability represents a classic input validation flaw that aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security. The absence of proper length validation creates opportunities for buffer overflows, memory corruption, and arbitrary code execution within the vGPU management framework. Attackers could potentially manipulate input parameters to the vGPU plugin, causing unexpected behavior that might result in information disclosure through memory dumps or data leakage, or enable tampering of critical system data that governs virtual GPU operations and resource allocation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass broader system availability and security implications. When exploited, the vulnerability could lead to denial of service conditions that disrupt virtual GPU functionality, affecting multiple virtual machines that depend on shared graphics resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where vGPU technology is extensively deployed for virtual desktop infrastructure, remote work solutions, and cloud-based graphics processing. Systems utilizing NVIDIA vGPU for critical applications such as medical imaging, engineering design, or financial modeling could face significant operational disruption if this vulnerability is successfully exploited.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected vGPU software versions to the recommended releases that contain fixed validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to vGPU management interfaces and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous input patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing robust input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious behavior patterns related to vGPU plugin communications, and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation attempts.