CVE-2023-42679 in SC9863A
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In gpu driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local denial of service with System execution privileges needed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42679 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within GPU driver components that fundamentally compromises system stability and security. This issue manifests when the graphics processing unit driver fails to perform adequate bounds checking during memory operations, creating a condition where malicious code or legitimate software can write data beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability exists at the kernel level within GPU driver code, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-critical functions.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a missing validation mechanism that should have verified memory access boundaries before allowing data to be written to GPU memory regions. When an application or system process interacts with the GPU driver, it passes parameters that define memory locations for graphics processing operations. Without proper bounds checking, these parameters can reference memory locations outside the intended allocation, resulting in memory corruption that may manifest as system crashes, unexpected behavior, or potential privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability specifically impacts GPU drivers that handle graphics rendering commands and memory management operations, making it particularly relevant in environments where intensive graphics processing occurs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for local denial of service attacks, as adversaries with system execution privileges can exploit the flaw to crash system processes or render the GPU driver non-functional. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption, as GPU drivers are essential components for graphics rendering, video processing, and increasingly for machine learning workloads. When exploited successfully, the out-of-bounds write can corrupt critical driver structures, leading to system instability that may require complete system reboot to resolve. The requirement for system execution privileges to exploit this vulnerability means that local attackers who have already compromised a system can leverage this weakness to escalate their control or create persistent denial of service conditions.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can use such flaws to maintain persistent access or disrupt system operations. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate driver updates from vendors, implementation of memory safety checks, and system monitoring for unusual GPU memory access patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to reduce exploitability. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of rigorous code review processes for kernel-level drivers and highlights the necessity of comprehensive testing for memory safety conditions in graphics processing components.