CVE-2024-0071 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in the user mode layer, where an unprivileged regular user can cause an out-of-bounds write. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to code execution, denial of service, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0071 represents a critical security flaw within NVIDIA's GPU display driver for Windows operating systems. This issue resides in the user mode layer of the driver architecture, creating a pathway for exploitation that extends beyond typical user permissions. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that can be triggered by unprivileged regular users, fundamentally undermining the security model that separates user-level processes from system-level operations. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they can be exploited without requiring administrative privileges or elevated access rights, making them accessible to a broad range of potential attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the user mode components of the NVIDIA driver. When processing certain graphics-related operations or display management functions, the driver fails to validate array indices or buffer boundaries before performing write operations. This allows an attacker to manipulate memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially overwriting critical data structures, function pointers, or executable code. The out-of-bounds write condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, as attackers can overwrite memory locations with malicious payloads or manipulate program flow through overwritten function pointers. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0071 extends across multiple security domains, creating potential for severe system compromise. Successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation, allowing regular users to gain elevated system access and potentially achieve full system control. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions that could disrupt graphics rendering and display functionality, affecting user productivity and system stability. Information disclosure capabilities mean that attackers could potentially access sensitive data stored in memory regions controlled by the graphics driver. Data tampering possibilities include corruption of graphics processing results or manipulation of display output, which could be particularly dangerous in environments where visual integrity is critical. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that this vulnerability affects all Windows systems running affected NVIDIA drivers, making it a widespread concern for enterprise and individual users alike.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0071 should focus on immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, which will contain patches addressing the bounds checking deficiencies in the user mode layer. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected systems, particularly in environments where security is paramount. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized graphics-related processes, monitoring for anomalous graphics driver behavior, and conducting regular security assessments of display driver configurations. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for memory manipulation patterns consistent with out-of-bounds write attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting the specific memory corruption patterns associated with this vulnerability type. The remediation approach should align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-128 for vulnerability management and incorporate principles from the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat hunting and incident response.