CVE-2021-1117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability has been discovered in the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver that impacts all versions of the driver. This vulnerability in the kernel mode layer handler for DxgkDdiEscape in Windows could allow an attacker with local system access to cause a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-1117

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-1117 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-1117?

The CVE-2021-1117 vulnerability exists in the kernel mode layer handler for DxgkDdiEscape in the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver. When exploited through specific configurations by an attacker with local unprivileged system access, it can result in improper input validation, leading to a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1117

The vulnerability's CVSSv3.1 base score is 4.7 (Medium severity), with a high impact on availability. With a low complexity to exploit and requiring low privileges, attackers can disrupt system availability without user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1117

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems, and how the exploitation works.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper input validation in the kernel mode layer handler for DxgkDdiEscape, allowing attackers to trigger a denial of service attack through specific configurations.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers need local unprivileged system access and specific configurations to bypass the input validation and cause a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we discuss the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-1117.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply patches provided by NVIDIA to address the vulnerability promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation and denial of service attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating the GPU driver, implementing security best practices, and maintaining system integrity can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by NVIDIA for the GPU Display Driver to protect systems from known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.