CVE-2024-0074 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux contains a vulnerability where an attacker may access a memory location after the end of the buffer. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to denial of service and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0074 resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux, representing a critical memory safety issue that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity. This flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory access condition where an attacker can potentially read or write to memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the graphics driver component that manages display operations on NVIDIA GPU hardware, making it particularly concerning for systems that rely heavily on graphical processing and display functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the driver's memory management routines. When processing graphics-related data or display commands, the driver fails to properly validate buffer limits before accessing memory regions, creating an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious input that extends beyond intended memory boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory contents or cause system instability through carefully constructed inputs that trigger the out-of-bounds access condition.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2024-0074 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include potential data tampering capabilities that could compromise system security. A successful exploitation could allow an attacker to corrupt graphics memory, manipulate display output, or potentially escalate privileges within the graphics subsystem. The vulnerability affects systems running NVIDIA GPU drivers on Linux platforms, making it relevant to a wide range of computing environments including desktop workstations, servers, and embedded systems that utilize NVIDIA graphics hardware for display operations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or server configurations where graphics processing is heavily utilized.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily through graphics-intensive applications and system components that interact with the NVIDIA display driver. Attackers could potentially exploit this through malicious graphics rendering operations, crafted display commands, or by leveraging other vulnerabilities that could lead to code execution within the graphics driver context. According to ATT&CK framework methodology, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers might use graphics-related exploits as part of broader attack chains. The vulnerability also aligns with T1499.004 for Endpoint Denial of Service, as it can be used to cause system instability or complete denial of service through memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0074 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, which typically include patches that implement proper bounds checking and memory validation routines. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to systems with affected drivers and monitor for unusual graphics processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary graphics functionality, implementing strict access controls for graphics-related applications, and maintaining comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential memory corruption or denial of service conditions. Organizations should also review their patch management procedures to ensure rapid deployment of vendor security updates and consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of affected driver versions.