CVE-2022-28186 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2022
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape, where the product receives input or data, but does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly, which may lead to denial of service or data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28186 resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows operating system, specifically within the kernel mode layer component known as nvlddmkm.sys. This flaw manifests in the DxgkDdiEscape handler, which represents a critical interface point between the graphics driver and the Windows kernel for handling display escape operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the properties and characteristics of data received through this handler. Such insufficient validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through malformed input parameters that could potentially bypass normal security checks and validation routines. The kernel mode nature of this component places it at a privileged execution level where unauthorized access or manipulation can result in significant system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for the manipulation of input data through the DxgkDdiEscape function call interface, which is designed to handle various escape sequences for graphics operations. When the driver processes these escape sequences without proper validation of data structure integrity, length, or expected parameter types, it creates opportunities for exploitation that could result in system instability or unauthorized data manipulation. The flaw specifically affects how the driver validates the properties of input data before processing, meaning that attackers could craft malicious inputs that appear valid to the system but contain unexpected or malformed elements that trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel mode component. This type of validation failure aligns with common security weaknesses documented in the CWE database under categories related to improper input validation and insufficient validation of input properties.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28186 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential data tampering scenarios that could compromise system integrity. When exploited, this vulnerability may allow attackers to cause system crashes, leading to denial of service conditions that disrupt normal computing operations. More critically, the improper validation could enable unauthorized modification of graphics-related data structures or memory regions, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or data corruption that affects the overall security posture of the system. The kernel mode execution context amplifies the potential damage since the driver operates with elevated privileges and direct access to hardware resources, making successful exploitation particularly concerning from a security perspective. The vulnerability affects systems running affected NVIDIA GPU drivers on Windows platforms, potentially impacting enterprise environments where graphics processing and display functionality are critical components of normal operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28186 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, which typically include patched validation routines and enhanced input sanitization for the DxgkDdiEscape handler. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the latest driver versions containing the necessary security fixes. Additional protective measures include monitoring system logs for unusual graphics driver behavior or kernel mode异常 activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized graphics-related components, and maintaining regular system backups to facilitate recovery in case of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors that could lead to exploitation of this kernel mode vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that address both endpoint protection and network-level monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting kernel mode components.