CVE-2021-1116 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the details of CVE-2021-1116 affecting NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows. Learn about the vulnerability impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows has been found to contain a vulnerability that could result in a denial of service due to a NULL pointer dereference in the kernel mode layer.
Understanding CVE-2021-1116
This CVE identifier pertains to a vulnerability in the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows that can potentially lead to a system crash.
What is CVE-2021-1116?
The vulnerability in question involves a NULL pointer dereference in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows. This vulnerability originates within user mode code, posing a risk of system crash.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1116
The impact of CVE-2021-1116 can result in a denial of service (DoS) scenario as the NULL pointer dereference within the kernel mode layer may cause system instability and crashes, affecting the availability of the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1116
The technical details of CVE-2021-1116 highlight the specific aspects related to the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference in the kernel mode layer of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows, triggered by code execution in user mode.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker through specially crafted user mode code, leading to a NULL pointer dereference and subsequent system crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2021-1116, certain steps need to be taken to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediate steps include applying patches or updates provided by NVIDIA to fix the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
In the long term, maintaining updated drivers and monitoring security advisories from NVIDIA can help preemptively prevent such vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying patches and updates released by NVIDIA is crucial in ensuring the security of systems running the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows.