CVE-2019-5671 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape, potentially leading to denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2019-5671

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the NVIDIA GPU Graphics Driver that could be exploited for denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2019-5671?

The vulnerability in the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver allows software to neglect releasing a resource after its effective lifetime, potentially causing denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5671

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to trigger denial of service, disrupting system functionality and potentially causing downtime.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5671

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape in the NVIDIA Windows GPU Display Driver, where a resource is not released after its effective lifetime, leading to a denial of service risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: NVIDIA GPU Graphics Driver
Vendor: Nvidia Corporation
Versions: All versions are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to launch denial of service attacks by manipulating the resource release process.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-5671, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Nvidia promptly.
Monitor Nvidia's security advisories for any further instructions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update GPU drivers to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Nvidia and apply them as soon as they are released to protect systems from exploitation.