CVE-2021-34392 in Jetson
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2021
Trusty TLK contains a vulnerability in the NVIDIA TLK kernel where an integer overflow in the tz_map_shared_mem function can bypass boundary checks, which might lead to denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-34392 resides within the Trusty TLK kernel component of NVIDIA systems, specifically affecting the tz_map_shared_mem function implementation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of memory management operations within the trusted execution environment. The vulnerability manifests as an integer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of shared memory mappings, creating a scenario where boundary checks can be systematically bypassed by malicious actors. Such a condition fundamentally compromises the memory protection mechanisms that are essential for maintaining the security boundaries of the trusted kernel environment.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer arithmetic within the tz_map_shared_mem function, where an overflow condition allows attackers to manipulate memory allocation parameters beyond their intended limits. When the integer overflow occurs, it results in the bypassing of critical boundary validation checks that are designed to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns. This specific flaw falls under the category of CWE-191 Integer Underflow/Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software systems that can lead to severe security implications including memory corruption and privilege escalation. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to compromise the entire system security posture when proper boundary checks are circumvented.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-34392 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors within the trusted execution environment. While the immediate effect may manifest as system instability or service disruption, the underlying integer overflow creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory mappings in ways that could lead to privilege escalation or information disclosure. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on NVIDIA's Trusty TLK for secure kernel operations, particularly those implementing secure boot processes and hardware-based security features. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially disrupt critical system functions or gain unauthorized access to protected memory regions that should remain isolated from normal execution contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected NVIDIA kernel components and implementation of proper integer overflow detection mechanisms within the tz_map_shared_mem function. System administrators should ensure that all Trusty TLK implementations are updated with the latest security patches provided by NVIDIA, while also implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory mapping behaviors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of rigorous input validation and boundary checking in kernel-level code, particularly in security-critical components where integer overflows can lead to severe consequences. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as memory protection units and address space layout randomization to reduce the exploitability of similar integer overflow conditions within their trusted execution environments. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in kernel-level software development and the necessity of comprehensive security testing for all system components that handle memory management operations.