CVE-2021-1064 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

NVIDIA vGPU Manager versions 8.x (prior to 8.6) and 11.0 (prior to 11.3) are affected by a vulnerability in the vGPU plugin that can result in information disclosure or denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-1064

This CVE pertains to a vulnerability in NVIDIA's Virtual GPU Manager that could potentially lead to sensitive information disclosure or denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2021-1064?

The vulnerability lies in the vGPU plugin of NVIDIA vGPU Manager. It involves processing a value from an untrusted source, converting it to a pointer, and dereferencing it, opening up the possibility of information exposure or service denial.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1064

Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow malicious actors to access confidential data or disrupt services, posing a significant risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1064

Here are some technical aspects of the CVE:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the vGPU plugin allows attackers to manipulate pointer values, leading to potential information disclosure or denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

NVIDIA Virtual GPU Manager versions 8.x (prior to 8.6) and 11.0 (prior to 11.3) are susceptible to this security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, threat actors can craft malicious inputs to trigger the mishandling of pointers, which may result in either exposing sensitive data or disrupting services.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-1064 and enhance system security, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NVIDIA Virtual GPU Manager to version 8.6 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly apply security patches and updates to all software components to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories from NVIDIA and apply patches promptly to ensure your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.