CVE-2021-1107 in Jetson AGX Xavier
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2021
NVIDIA Linux kernel distributions contain a vulnerability in nvmap NVMAP_IOC_WRITE* paths, where improper access controls may lead to code execution, complete denial of service, and seriously compromised integrity of all system components.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1107 resides within NVIDIA's Linux kernel modules, specifically affecting the nvmap driver component that manages memory mapping operations for graphics processing units. This flaw manifests in the NVMAP_IOC_WRITE* ioctl command paths, which are critical interfaces for memory allocation and manipulation within the kernel space. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that directly impacts the kernel's memory management subsystem and exposes underlying system components to unauthorized access. The issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate permissions when processing write operations through these ioctl interfaces, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper privilege escalation within the kernel's memory management layer, where the nvmap driver fails to enforce proper access controls during write operations. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate kernel memory regions through crafted ioctl calls that bypass normal security checks. The vulnerability can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within kernel space, effectively granting attackers complete control over the system's memory management and potentially leading to full system compromise. The improper access controls specifically affect the NVMAP_IOC_WRITE* operations that are used to write data to mapped memory regions, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and memory corruption attacks.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2021-1107 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and denial of service conditions. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces, potentially leading to privilege escalation attacks that allow them to execute malicious code with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by its ability to affect the integrity of all system components, as successful exploitation can result in persistent backdoors, data corruption, and complete system instability. Organizations running affected NVIDIA kernel modules face significant risks including unauthorized data access, system downtime, and potential data breaches that could compromise entire network infrastructures.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a critical weakness in kernel security mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized memory manipulation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation technique and T1547.001 registry run keys or startup folder persistence mechanisms that could be leveraged post-exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including kernel updates from NVIDIA, disabling unnecessary nvmap functionality, and implementing runtime monitoring to detect suspicious ioctl operations. System administrators must also consider network segmentation and access control policies to limit potential attack vectors, while maintaining comprehensive logging of kernel memory operations to detect exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper kernel security implementation and access control validation in graphics driver components. The flaw underscores the need for rigorous security testing of kernel modules, particularly those handling memory management operations that operate with elevated privileges. Organizations should prioritize patch management for affected systems and conduct thorough security assessments of their kernel module configurations to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The security implications extend beyond immediate system compromise to include potential long-term persistence mechanisms that could allow attackers to maintain unauthorized access over extended periods.