CVE-2023-42680 in SC9863A
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In gpu driver, there is a possible out of bounds read 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-2023-42680 resides within graphics processing unit driver components where an out-of-bounds read condition exists due to insufficient input validation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that arises from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the driver code structure. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the gpu driver processes certain input parameters or data structures without adequate verification of array limits or memory boundaries. Such missing validation creates an exploitable condition where malicious input could cause the driver to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations as it can potentially lead to system instability and complete denial of service scenarios. Attackers with local system execution privileges can leverage this weakness to disrupt normal gpu operations and potentially cause system crashes or lockups. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-129 which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in memory management practices within the gpu driver subsystem. When the driver receives input data that should be processed through array or buffer operations, the absence of proper boundary validation allows for memory access beyond allocated regions. This condition can occur during various gpu operations including shader processing, texture handling, or command buffer execution where data structures are manipulated without sufficient validation. The lack of bounds checking means that the driver does not verify whether input parameters fall within acceptable ranges before proceeding with memory operations. This particular weakness is especially concerning in gpu environments where drivers operate with elevated privileges and handle complex data processing tasks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system execution privileges, indicating that it cannot be directly exploited remotely but represents a significant risk in environments where privilege escalation is possible. The out-of-bounds read condition can potentially expose sensitive memory contents or cause the driver to crash, leading to complete system service disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42680 extends beyond immediate system availability concerns to encompass broader security implications for gpu-dependent systems. Local denial of service conditions can severely impact productivity in environments where graphics processing is critical, such as video editing workstations, gaming platforms, or professional visualization systems. The vulnerability's potential for causing system instability means that legitimate users may experience unexpected system crashes or performance degradation. In enterprise environments, this weakness could be particularly problematic as gpu drivers often run continuously and handle multiple concurrent processes. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation risk means that attackers who have already compromised a system with basic user privileges could potentially leverage this weakness to gain additional control over gpu resources. This could enable more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration from graphics memory or manipulation of gpu-based security features. The impact is particularly severe in virtualized environments where gpu resources are shared among multiple virtual machines, as a single compromised guest could potentially affect the entire host system's gpu operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42680 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security enhancements. System administrators should prioritize applying vendor-provided security patches as soon as they become available, as these updates typically include the necessary bounds checking mechanisms to prevent the out-of-bounds read condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of gpu driver operations to detect potential exploitation attempts or system instability patterns that might indicate vulnerability exploitation. Network segmentation and privilege minimization practices should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of gpu driver components and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in graphics processing subsystems. Additionally, implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of rigorous code review practices specifically focused on memory safety and bounds checking in driver development, aligning with industry standards that emphasize secure coding practices for kernel and driver components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across gpu-dependent systems.