CVE-2021-1112 in Jetson AGX Xavier
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2021
NVIDIA Linux kernel distributions contain a vulnerability in nvmap, where a null pointer dereference may lead to complete denial of service.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1112 affects NVIDIA Linux kernel distributions and specifically targets the nvmap subsystem within the kernel. This issue resides in the kernel module responsible for managing memory allocation and mapping operations for NVIDIA graphics hardware. The nvmap component serves as a critical interface between user-space applications and the kernel driver for NVIDIA GPU devices, facilitating memory management operations that are essential for graphics rendering and compute tasks. The vulnerability manifests as a null pointer dereference condition that can occur during specific memory allocation or deallocation sequences within the nvmap driver implementation.
The technical flaw in CVE-2021-1112 represents a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability that falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. When the nvmap driver encounters certain memory management operations, particularly during buffer allocation or deallocation processes, it fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to access memory locations. This validation failure results in the kernel attempting to dereference a null pointer, causing an immediate kernel panic and system crash. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where such failures can result in complete system downtime and require manual intervention to restore normal operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass complete service disruption for systems relying on NVIDIA graphics hardware. Any application or service that depends on NVIDIA GPU acceleration, including graphic rendering applications, machine learning workloads, or video processing systems, can experience sudden and unexpected termination when this vulnerability is exploited. The denial of service condition affects both interactive desktop environments and server-based applications, making it particularly dangerous for production systems where uptime is critical. Systems using NVIDIA graphics drivers in virtualized environments or containerized applications are also at risk, as the kernel-level crash can affect entire virtual machines or container instances. The vulnerability can be triggered through normal operation of graphics-intensive applications, making it particularly insidious as it may not require specialized exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1112 should focus on immediate patch deployment from NVIDIA, which typically involves updating the kernel modules to versions that include proper null pointer validation. Organizations should prioritize patching systems running affected NVIDIA Linux kernel distributions, particularly those in production environments where system availability is paramount. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect kernel panics or system crashes related to the nvmap driver, enabling rapid response to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks, as the complete system crash represents a form of service disruption that can be leveraged to deny access to computing resources. Additionally, implementing proper kernel security modules and ensuring that only authorized applications can access NVIDIA GPU resources through proper access controls can help reduce the attack surface and potential exploitation vectors for this vulnerability.