CVE-2024-0093 in vGPU Software
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2024
NVIDIA GPU software for Linux contains a vulnerability where it can expose sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to information disclosure.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0093 affects NVIDIA GPU software running on Linux systems and represents a significant information disclosure weakness that undermines the security posture of graphics processing units. This flaw exists within the kernel drivers and user-space components of NVIDIA's GPU software stack, creating an unintended pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper privilege separation within the GPU driver architecture, allowing malicious actors to potentially extract confidential data that should remain restricted to authorized processes only.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages weaknesses in the NVIDIA GPU driver's permission model and memory management systems. The flaw typically manifests when unprivileged processes attempt to access GPU memory regions or driver interfaces that contain sensitive data such as encryption keys, cryptographic material, or system configuration information. This issue falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms in software systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because GPU drivers often operate with elevated privileges and maintain direct access to hardware resources, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges or extract valuable information.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0093 extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire system security. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to cryptographic keys used for GPU memory encryption, system boot processes, or other sensitive data that resides in GPU memory spaces. This information exposure could facilitate privilege escalation attacks, enable man-in-the-middle operations, or provide attackers with the necessary data to conduct more targeted attacks against the system. The vulnerability affects systems running NVIDIA GPU software on Linux platforms, particularly those utilizing the proprietary NVIDIA driver components that manage GPU memory allocation and access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected NVIDIA GPU software versions, implementation of kernel lockdown mechanisms, and enhanced monitoring of GPU memory access patterns. System administrators should ensure that all NVIDIA driver components are updated to versions that address the access control weaknesses, while also implementing proper privilege separation between GPU driver components and user processes. Organizations should consider deploying additional security controls such as SELinux or AppArmor policies to restrict GPU memory access, and implement continuous monitoring for suspicious GPU memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068 which deals with exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive security teams to address promptly. Regular security assessments of GPU driver configurations and access controls should be performed to ensure that the vulnerability remains properly mitigated against potential exploitation attempts.