CVE-2021-1121 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

NVIDIA vGPU software is reported to have a vulnerability in the Virtual GPU Manager kernel driver. This vulnerability allows a virtual GPU (vGPU) to trigger resource starvation among other vGPUs on the same GPU, potentially resulting in a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-1121

This section delves into the details of CVE-2021-1121.

What is CVE-2021-1121?

The vulnerability in the NVIDIA vGPU software can lead to denial of service by causing resource starvation among vGPUs hosted on the same GPU.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1121

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium with a base CVSS score of 5.5. The attack complexity is low, requiring local access, and can result in high availability impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1121

Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-1121 in more detail.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the Virtual GPU Manager kernel driver, allowing a vGPU to affect other vGPUs' resources on the same GPU.

Affected Systems and Versions

NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software versions 13.x (prior to 13.1), 12.x (prior to 12.4), 11.x (prior to 11.6), and 8.x (prior to 8.9) are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could trigger resource starvation among co-hosted vGPUs, potentially causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are some steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-1121.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is advised to update the NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software to the patched versions to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating software and keeping abreast of security advisories can help mitigate risks associated with such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure regular patch management practices are in place to apply security updates promptly.