CVE-2021-1111 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2021-1111 article provides insights into a vulnerability found in NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier series, Jetson Xavier NX, Jetson TX2 series, Jetson TX2 NX. The flaw allows users with physical access through USB to exploit the bootloader, leading to potential buffer overflow and service denial.

Understanding CVE-2021-1111

CVE-2021-1111 refers to a vulnerability in NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier series, Jetson Xavier NX, Jetson TX2 series, Jetson TX2 NX platforms that permits unauthorized users to trigger a buffer overflow through a specific USB-related action.

What is CVE-2021-1111?

The vulnerability in the bootloader's NV3P server can be exploited by an attacker physically connecting through USB, initiating an incorrect bounds check, causing potential buffer overflow. This could result in limited information disclosure, compromised data integrity, and denial of service affecting various system components.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1111

The vulnerability scored a CVSS base score of 6.7, indicating a medium severity issue. While the attack complexity is considered low, the availability impact is high, potentially leading to service disruption. Although the confidentiality and integrity impacts are low, the exploit does not require any special privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1111

This section provides a closer look at the vulnerability's description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an incorrect bounds check in the NV3P server bootloader when accessed via USB, allowing unauthorized users to trigger a buffer overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Jetson Linux versions prior to r32.6.1 are impacted by this vulnerability across NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier series, Jetson Xavier NX, Jetson TX2 series, Jetson TX2 NX platforms.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker requires physical access to the device through a USB connection, enabling them to perform the incorrect bounds check triggering buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

Following the discovery of CVE-2021-1111, it is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk and implement long-term security practices to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their systems to Jetson Linux version r32.6.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Restricting physical access to trusted individuals can also prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating firmware, restricting physical access to sensitive systems, and monitoring USB connections can enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by NVIDIA to address vulnerabilities quickly and effectively.