CVE-2021-1061 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

NVIDIA vGPU manager contains a vulnerability in the vGPU plugin, leading to denial of service or information disclosure. Affected versions include 8.x (prior to 8.6) and 11.0 (prior to 11.3).

Understanding CVE-2021-1061

This CVE highlights a race condition in NVIDIA Virtual GPU Manager that can result in a continued use of outdated resources, potentially causing denial of service or information disclosure.

What is CVE-2021-1061?

The vulnerability in the vGPU plugin of NVIDIA vGPU manager allows the plugin to persistently use an obsolete resource, leading to potential denial of service or information leakage.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1061

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in denial of service attacks or unauthorized access to sensitive information, posing a risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1061

The following technical aspects are associated with CVE-2021-1061:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a race condition in the vGPU plugin, enabling the continued use of outdated resources, potentially causing service denial or information exposure.

Affected Systems and Versions

NVIDIA Virtual GPU Manager versions 8.x (prior to 8.6) and 11.0 (prior to 11.3) are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the race condition in the vGPU plugin, thereby gaining control over resources and potentially causing service disruptions or data leaks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-1061, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NVIDIA Virtual GPU Manager to version 8.6 or higher, and version 11.3 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of unauthorized access or unusual activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict access control policies to limit the exposure of critical resources.
Regularly patch and update software to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by NVIDIA to address vulnerabilities and enhance the security posture of NVIDIA Virtual GPU Manager.