CVE-2021-34386 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Trusty TLK contains a vulnerability in the NVIDIA TLK kernel where an integer overflow in the calloc size calculation can cause the multiplication of count and size can overflow, leading to potential heap overflows.

Understanding CVE-2021-34386

This CVE affects NVIDIA Jetson TX1 devices running on versions prior to r32.5.1, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to a medium-severity vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-34386?

CVE-2021-34386 is a vulnerability in the Trusty TLK component of the NVIDIA TLK kernel, caused by an integer overflow during calloc size calculation, potentially resulting in heap overflows.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34386

The vulnerability poses a considerable threat to affected systems, with a CVSS base score of 6.3, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack complexity is high, with privileges required.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34386

This section outlines specific technical details of the CVE, including vulnerable systems, exploitation mechanisms, and affected versions.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an integer overflow in the calloc size calculation in the NVIDIA TLK kernel, which could lead to heap overflows, potentially enabling malicious actors to carry out attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

NVIDIA Jetson TX1 devices running on all Jetson Linux versions prior to r32.5.1 are vulnerable to this CVE. Users of these devices need to take immediate action to secure their systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by triggering the integer overflow in the calloc size calculation, causing the multiplication of count and size to overflow and leading to potential heap overflows.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the steps users can take to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-34386 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

NVIDIA Jetson TX1 users should update their devices to version r32.5.1 or later to patch the vulnerability and enhance system security.
Monitor official NVIDIA security advisories and apply patches promptly to prevent malicious exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all system software, including security patches provided by NVIDIA, to ensure the latest protections against vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious activities that may target system vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

NVIDIA provides patches addressing CVE-2021-34386 in Jetson Linux version r32.5.1 and later. Users should prioritize updating their systems to the latest version to safeguard against potential exploitation and maintain system integrity.