CVE-2024-0073 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer when the driver is performing an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required. 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 • 03/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0073 affects NVIDIA GPU Display Drivers for Windows operating systems and represents a critical flaw within the kernel mode layer of the graphics driver architecture. This issue manifests when the driver executes operations at privilege levels exceeding the minimum requirements necessary for normal functionality, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage for malicious purposes. The kernel mode layer serves as the core component responsible for low-level hardware interactions and system resource management, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise system integrity and establish persistent access.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from improper privilege management within the NVIDIA driver implementation, specifically within the Windows kernel mode components that handle GPU operations. The flaw allows for operations to be executed with elevated privileges beyond what is strictly necessary, potentially enabling attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management in software systems, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of secure system design. The affected driver components operate at ring 0 privilege level in Windows architecture, where any flaw can result in complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and potential attack vectors. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to achieve code execution within the kernel context, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify system files, or establish backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability also presents risks for denial of service attacks that could render graphics functionality unavailable or cause system instability. Privilege escalation capabilities mean that attackers could potentially elevate their access from standard user level to system administrator level, while information disclosure mechanisms could expose sensitive system data or configuration details. Data tampering capabilities further compound the threat by allowing modification of graphics-related system information or potentially corrupting driver functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0073 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA as the primary defense mechanism, following the vendor's security advisories and patch releases. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and establish baseline configurations that minimize unnecessary privilege elevation. The principle of least privilege should be enforced through proper access control policies and regular security audits of driver installations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as kernel-mode code integrity checking and exploit prevention technologies. Security professionals should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and system log reviews, particularly focusing on unusual kernel-level operations or privilege escalation events. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, making defensive measures against these attack patterns essential for comprehensive protection.