CVE-2021-1051 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows has a vulnerability that allows a local user to gain elevated privileges, potentially resulting in a denial of service attack on the display.

Understanding CVE-2021-1051

This section delves into the details of the security vulnerability found in NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows.

What is CVE-2021-1051?

The vulnerability lies in the kernel mode layer handler for DxgkDdiEscape in the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows. It enables a local user to escalate their privileges and alter display configuration data, leading to a denial of service risk for the display.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1051

With a CVSS base score of 8.4 and a high severity rating, this vulnerability poses a significant threat. An attacker with low privileges can manipulate display settings, causing a potential denial of service incident.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1051

Learn about the specifics of the CVE-2021-1051 vulnerability in this section.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the kernel mode layer handler for DxgkDdiEscape allows unauthorized users to modify display configurations, impacting the display's operation.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows are affected by this vulnerability, exposing them to potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Local attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated rights and interfere with display configuration data, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-1051 in this section.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply patches or updates provided by NVIDIA promptly to address this vulnerability and prevent potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices, such as regular software updates and maintaining least privilege access, can enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by NVIDIA for the GPU Display Driver for Windows to safeguard systems from known vulnerabilities.