CVE-2021-1098 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the details of CVE-2021-1098 affecting NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software. Learn about the vulnerability, its impact, affected versions, and mitigation strategies.
NVIDIA vGPU software, specifically the Virtual GPU Manager, has been identified with a critical vulnerability that could be exploited by a malicious guest. This could result in severe consequences like information disclosure, data tampering, or denial of service.
Understanding CVE-2021-1098
This section will provide detailed insights into what CVE-2021-1098 is, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-1098?
CVE-2021-1098 involves a vulnerability in NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software, where the Virtual GPU Manager fails to release certain resources during driver unload requests from guests. This loophole allows a malicious guest to reuse these resources, potentially leading to security breaches.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1098
The impact of this vulnerability is quite severe, with the potential for information disclosure, data manipulation, or denial of service attacks. It affects versions 8.x (prior 8.8), 11.x (prior 11.5), and 12.x (prior to 12.3) of the vGPU software.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1098
Let's delve deeper into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-1098 to understand how it operates.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability lies in the Virtual GPU Manager, enabling a malicious guest to exploit resource retention issues during driver unload requests.
Affected Systems and Versions
Versions 8.x (prior 8.8), 11.x (prior 11.5), and 12.x (prior to 12.3) of the NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
By reusing the unreleased resources within the Virtual GPU Manager, a malicious guest can potentially perform unauthorized activities, compromising the system's security.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section covers the essential steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-1098 and prevent any potential security breaches.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update their NVIDIA vGPU Software to versions 8.8, 11.5, or 12.3, which contain patches to address this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing robust security measures, such as regular software updates, monitoring for suspicious activities, and restricting guest access, can enhance overall system security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security patches and updates provided by NVIDIA to ensure that your systems are protected from known vulnerabilities.