CVE-2024-0120 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-2024-0120 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 affects the fundamental graphics subsystem of Windows environments utilizing NVIDIA hardware. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing certain graphics-related operations, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory access patterns beyond intended boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the user mode driver components responsible for handling graphics rendering commands. When a regular user account executes specific graphics operations or loads particular graphics content, the driver fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for memory access violations. This flaw operates at the intersection of graphics processing and operating system security, where the user mode layer interfaces directly with hardware resources and system memory management functions. The out-of-bounds read condition can be triggered through carefully crafted graphics operations that exploit the driver's insufficient boundary checking mechanisms, potentially leading to unpredictable memory access patterns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents multiple attack vectors that could severely compromise system integrity and security posture. An unprivileged user possessing basic account access could potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the affected system, as the out-of-bounds read could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the privileged driver context. The exploitation chain typically involves triggering the memory violation through graphics processing commands, which may subsequently allow attackers to manipulate system memory, read sensitive data from protected regions, or cause system instability leading to denial of service conditions. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable information disclosure attacks where attackers might extract confidential data from memory locations that should remain protected, and in some scenarios, facilitate data tampering operations that could corrupt system resources or graphics processing pipelines.
The security implications extend beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass broader system compromise potential through the established attack patterns documented in cybersecurity frameworks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that frequently appear in graphics and driver software implementations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging driver-level weaknesses to gain elevated system access. Organizations utilizing NVIDIA graphics hardware in enterprise environments face heightened risk due to the widespread deployment of these drivers across various system configurations and the potential for lateral movement once initial access is achieved. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where graphics processing is heavily utilized, such as in professional workstations, gaming platforms, or virtualized computing environments where multiple users share system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0120 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA to address the identified memory validation issues. System administrators must implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected NVIDIA GPU drivers are updated across enterprise networks, particularly focusing on systems handling sensitive data or operating in high-security environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing user access controls to limit graphics processing capabilities for unprivileged accounts, monitoring for unusual graphics processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining detailed system logs for forensic analysis. Network segmentation strategies can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by isolating graphics-intensive systems from critical infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of graphics-related applications to authorized users and processes, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory safety issues within other system components. The remediation process must include thorough testing of driver updates in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing graphics applications and system configurations.