CVE-2019-5049 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been identified in the AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver versions 25.20.15031.5004 and 25.20.15031.9002, allowing attackers to exploit memory corruption through specially crafted pixel shaders.

Understanding CVE-2019-5049

This CVE involves an out-of-bounds-write vulnerability in the AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver, potentially leading to unauthorized memory write operations.

What is CVE-2019-5049?

The vulnerability in the AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver versions 25.20.15031.5004 and 25.20.15031.9002 allows attackers to trigger memory corruption by supplying a specially crafted pixel shader file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5049

Exploiting this vulnerability can result in unauthorized data being written outside the allocated memory space, potentially leading to system compromise. The attack can be initiated from a VMware guest, affecting the VMware host as well.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5049

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability enables attackers to perform out-of-bounds memory writes by exploiting the AMD ATIDXX64.DLL driver versions 25.20.15031.5004 and 25.20.15031.9002 through specially crafted pixel shaders.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: AMD ATI
Versions: 25.20.15031.5004 and 25.20.15031.9002
Systems: Radeon RX 550 / 550 Series VMware Workstation 15 (15.0.4 build-12990004) with Windows 10 x64 as guestVM

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing a specifically designed shader file, triggering memory corruption and unauthorized data writes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5049 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Monitor for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
Implement strict access controls and restrict shader file execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and drivers to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from AMD ATI.
Regularly check for driver updates and apply them to ensure system security.