CVE-2024-0121 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0121 affects NVIDIA GPU Display Drivers for Windows operating systems and represents a critical security flaw within the user mode layer of the graphics driver stack. This issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling mechanisms that allow a local unprivileged user to manipulate memory access patterns beyond their intended boundaries. The vulnerability exists in the kernel-mode driver components that manage GPU operations and display rendering functions, creating a potential attack surface that extends beyond typical user privileges.
The technical exploitation of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability occurs when a regular user process interacts with the GPU driver through standard graphics APIs or display functions. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes during memory operations, allowing an attacker to read memory locations that should remain inaccessible. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The user mode layer components that handle GPU context switching and resource management contain the flaw, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the trusted driver environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and attack vectors. An unprivileged user could potentially leverage this flaw to escalate privileges to system level access, effectively bypassing standard Windows security controls and user access restrictions. The ability to perform code execution within the driver context means that attackers could install malicious payloads, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the graphics subsystem. Additionally, the vulnerability enables denial of service conditions that could crash the graphics driver or entire operating system, while information disclosure capabilities allow attackers to extract sensitive data from memory regions that should remain protected. Data tampering potential exists through the ability to modify memory contents in ways that could corrupt graphics rendering or system state information.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including restricting user access to GPU driver interfaces and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns within the graphics subsystem. System administrators should ensure that NVIDIA drivers are updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the flaw exists in the user mode layer where standard privilege separation mechanisms may be bypassed. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as driver signature enforcement, process monitoring for abnormal GPU memory operations, and regular security assessments of graphics driver configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in kernel and user mode driver components, particularly when handling untrusted input from potentially malicious users. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as attackers could use the privilege escalation capabilities to execute malicious code through various interpreter mechanisms.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the increasing complexity of modern graphics driver security and the challenges faced by security teams in protecting system components that operate with elevated privileges. Given that GPU drivers often run with high privileges to enable efficient graphics processing, any vulnerability within these components can represent a significant risk to overall system security. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly isolated driver components can create pathways for attackers to compromise entire systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of graphics driver code. Organizations should adopt a defense-in-depth approach that includes regular driver vulnerability assessments, implementation of runtime monitoring systems, and maintaining current security patches for all graphics driver components to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.