CVE-2024-0119 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-2024-0119 resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows operating system, specifically within the user mode layer component that manages graphics processing operations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the system's graphics subsystem and potentially compromises overall system security. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing certain graphics commands or data structures within the driver's user mode execution environment. Such a condition typically arises when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations, creating opportunities for unauthorized code execution or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can be exploited to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous in graphics drivers because these components operate with elevated privileges and handle complex data structures representing graphics operations, textures, and display commands. The user mode layer of the NVIDIA driver processes graphics requests from applications and translates them into hardware-level operations, making it a prime target for exploitation. An attacker can craft malicious graphics commands or manipulate graphics data in such a way that triggers the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution within the driver context.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security and stability. The potential impact includes privilege escalation, where a regular user could gain elevated system privileges through exploitation of the driver vulnerability. This escalation could enable attackers to bypass standard security controls and gain access to sensitive system resources, potentially leading to full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability could result in denial of service conditions where legitimate graphics operations fail, causing system instability or complete graphical interface failures. Information disclosure represents another serious consequence, as attackers might extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential information. Data tampering capabilities could allow attackers to modify graphics data or system memory contents, undermining data integrity and potentially creating persistent backdoors or stealthy malware delivery mechanisms.
The exploitation of CVE-2024-0119 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and execution through legitimate system interfaces. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain, using it to establish persistent access or move laterally within a network. The fact that this vulnerability affects the graphics driver layer means that exploitation could occur through various attack vectors including malicious applications, compromised software installations, or even web-based attacks that leverage graphics processing capabilities. The user mode nature of the vulnerability suggests that exploitation might be more accessible compared to kernel-level flaws, as user mode exploits typically require less sophisticated techniques and can be triggered through normal application usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected NVIDIA GPU drivers through official updates provided by NVIDIA. System administrators should implement strict monitoring of graphics-related processes and memory access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments of graphics-related software components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially malicious graphics processing applications. The vulnerability's classification as a user mode layer issue suggests that standard security measures like driver signature enforcement and system integrity checking may not be sufficient to prevent exploitation, requiring more comprehensive security architectures that include behavioral analysis and anomaly detection systems specifically designed to monitor graphics driver operations and identify deviations from normal behavior patterns.