CVE-2024-0118 in GPU
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2024
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 read. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, denial of service, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0118 affects NVIDIA GPU Display Drivers for Windows operating systems and represents a critical flaw within the user mode layer of the graphics driver architecture. This issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to memory regions beyond the intended boundaries of the driver's operational scope. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows implementation of NVIDIA's graphics driver stack, which is widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments, making it a significant concern for system security. The flaw exists in the user mode component responsible for handling graphics processing commands and display management functions, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors with minimal privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the driver processes certain graphics-related API calls or display configuration requests. An unprivileged regular user can trigger this condition by submitting malformed input parameters or specific sequences of graphics operations that cause the driver to access memory locations beyond its allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of the length of input data, and more broadly relates to CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The underlying flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices within the driver's user mode execution context, where input validation mechanisms fail to properly constrain data access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple denial of service conditions, presenting multiple attack vectors that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality. Successful exploitation of CVE-2024-0118 could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the graphics driver process, potentially leading to privilege escalation from standard user level to system-level access. The out-of-bounds read condition could also facilitate information disclosure attacks, where sensitive kernel memory contents might be exposed to unauthorized users. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to cause system instability through denial of service conditions, or even enable data tampering operations that modify graphics processing results or system memory contents. This vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1068 technique for privilege escalation and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, demonstrating how graphics driver vulnerabilities can be weaponized for broader system compromise.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the deployment of NVIDIA's official driver updates, which contain patches addressing the specific bounds checking deficiencies in the user mode layer. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous graphics processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual API call patterns or memory access violations. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation makes it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where standard users might have access to graphics-intensive applications. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also ensuring that all systems running affected NVIDIA drivers are regularly updated through automated patch management solutions. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running outdated drivers and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and system criticality.