CVE-2024-0126 in GPU
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2024
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability which could allow a privileged attacker to escalate permissions. 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-2024-0126 resides within NVIDIA GPU Display Drivers for both Windows and Linux operating systems, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that could be exploited by malicious actors with elevated system access. This weakness specifically targets the driver components responsible for managing graphics processing unit operations and display functionalities, creating a potential pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized administrative privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue places it squarely within the realm of elevated access attacks that can fundamentally compromise system integrity and security posture.
Technical analysis reveals that the flaw stems from inadequate input validation and privilege handling mechanisms within the GPU driver code, allowing a privileged attacker to manipulate driver behavior through crafted inputs or system calls. The vulnerability manifests when the driver fails to properly enforce access controls during graphics processing operations, enabling malicious code execution within kernel space. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls in software systems. The exploitation process typically involves leveraging existing elevated privileges to manipulate driver interfaces, ultimately leading to privilege elevation that bypasses standard operating system security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0126 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating multiple attack vectors that could result in comprehensive system compromise. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively granting them complete control over affected systems. This capability opens doors to persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, and system-wide denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's presence in both Windows and Linux environments increases its attack surface significantly, as it affects multiple operating system platforms and could be leveraged across diverse computing infrastructures. Organizations relying on NVIDIA GPU solutions for graphics rendering, machine learning workloads, or high-performance computing applications face particular risk from this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0126 should prioritize immediate driver updates from NVIDIA, as the company has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators must implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual driver behavior and privilege escalation attempts, particularly in environments where GPU acceleration is heavily utilized. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, making traditional endpoint detection and response solutions crucial for identifying exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls for GPU driver interfaces, disabling unnecessary GPU functionality when not required, and maintaining detailed audit logs of driver operations. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement capabilities once an attacker has gained elevated privileges, as the vulnerability's exploitation could enable comprehensive system compromise. Regular security assessments of GPU driver configurations and privileged user access controls remain essential components of a robust defense strategy against this and similar kernel-level vulnerabilities.