CVE-2023-45924 in OpenGL libglvnd
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
libglxproto.c in OpenGL libglvnd bb06db5a was discovered to contain a segmentation violation via the function glXGetDrawableScreen(). NOTE: this is disputed because there are no common situations in which users require uninterrupted operation with an attacker-controller server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45924 resides within the libglxproto.c component of the OpenGL libglvnd library, specifically in the glXGetDrawableScreen() function. This issue manifests as a segmentation fault that occurs during the execution of graphical operations within X Window System environments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-119 which encompasses memory access violations and improper handling of memory operations. The flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition where the function attempts to access memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated memory regions, leading to system instability and potential denial of service scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the glXGetDrawableScreen() function which processes drawable screen information for OpenGL graphics contexts. When the function receives malformed or unexpected input parameters from the graphics server, it fails to properly bounds-check memory accesses before attempting to read from allocated memory segments. This behavior creates a predictable crash scenario that can be triggered through specific sequences of graphics operations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics protocol handling and memory management, making it particularly challenging to detect during normal system operation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that rely heavily on OpenGL graphics rendering, particularly in server environments or applications that require uninterrupted graphical processing. The segmentation fault can cause complete application crashes or system instability when the graphics subsystem is under load or when malicious input is processed through the affected function. While the vendor has disputed the severity due to limited real-world exploitation scenarios, the potential for denial of service attacks remains substantial, especially in environments where graphics services are critical to overall system operation. The vulnerability affects systems running the affected libglvnd version and can be exploited by attackers who have access to the graphics subsystem or can influence the parameters passed to the glXGetDrawableScreen() function.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-45924 should prioritize immediate patching of the libglvnd library to address the memory access violation in the glXGetDrawableScreen() function. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for graphics-related crashes or segmentation faults that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of graphics services to untrusted networks or users. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which involves the execution of system commands through graphical interfaces and could potentially be leveraged in lateral movement scenarios where graphics services are accessible. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous graphics protocol behavior and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing graphics subsystem failures. Regular security assessments of graphics libraries and protocols should be conducted to identify similar memory handling vulnerabilities that could lead to similar exploitation vectors.