CVE-2021-1114 in Jetson AGX Xavier
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2021
NVIDIA Linux kernel distributions contain a vulnerability in the kernel crypto node, where use after free may lead to complete denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1114 resides within NVIDIA's Linux kernel distributions and represents a critical use-after-free condition affecting the kernel crypto module. This flaw manifests when the kernel crypto node fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory management mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the kernel's cryptographic subsystem, which is responsible for handling various encryption and decryption operations essential to system security and data integrity. According to CWE-416, this vulnerability maps directly to use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, potentially leading to system instability and complete denial of service scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs within the kernel crypto node implementation where improper memory handling allows for arbitrary code execution or system crashes. When legitimate kernel processes interact with the crypto subsystem, the use-after-free condition can be triggered through specific input sequences or memory allocation patterns that cause the kernel to reference freed memory blocks. This memory corruption can result in kernel panics, system lockups, or complete system hangs that render the affected system unusable. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged to achieve privilege escalation or persistent system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where system reliability is paramount.
Operational impact of CVE-2021-1114 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely heavily on NVIDIA graphics drivers and kernel components. Systems utilizing NVIDIA's Linux kernel modules, particularly those in enterprise environments, cloud infrastructure, or high-performance computing clusters, face significant risk of service interruption and potential data loss. The vulnerability's nature as a denial of service condition means that attackers can repeatedly trigger system crashes, leading to availability issues that can be difficult to detect and recover from. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access or disrupt critical operations. Organizations running affected systems may experience extended downtime, increased operational costs, and potential security breaches if the vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1114 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from NVIDIA, as the vendor has released kernel updates addressing the use-after-free condition. System administrators must ensure all affected kernel versions are updated promptly and thoroughly tested in production environments before deployment. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms, monitoring for unusual system behavior or kernel panic logs, and maintaining robust backup and recovery procedures. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while continuous vulnerability scanning and security monitoring should be employed to detect any exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel lockdown features and disabling unnecessary kernel modules to reduce the attack surface and limit potential exploitation vectors.