CVE-2021-34394 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides details about CVE-2021-34394, a vulnerability found in NVIDIA Jetson TX2 series, TX2 NX, AGX Xavier series, and Xavier NX. The vulnerability in the NVIDIA OTE protocol in Trusty can lead to a buffer overflow, potentially resulting in information disclosure and data modification.

Understanding CVE-2021-34394

CVE-2021-34394 is a vulnerability affecting NVIDIA Jetson TX2 series, TX2 NX, AGX Xavier series, and Xavier NX devices. The issue lies within the NVIDIA OTE protocol in Trusty, allowing for a buffer overflow that can be exploited by an attacker to compromise the system.

What is CVE-2021-34394?

Trusty contains a vulnerability in the NVIDIA OTE protocol where incorrect message stream deserialization can enable an attacker to leverage a malicious CA to trigger a buffer overflow. This could result in unauthorized information access and potential data tampering.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34394

The impact of CVE-2021-34394 is rated as medium severity. Although it requires high privileges, the vulnerability poses a high availability impact, potentially leading to information disclosure and data modification.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34394

CVE-2021-34394 has a base score of 4.2, with a low attack complexity and vector being local. The vulnerability does not directly impact confidentiality or integrity but requires user interaction and high privileges for exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the NVIDIA OTE protocol allows for a buffer overflow due to incorrect message stream deserialization, which can be exploited by an attacker via a malicious CA.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Jetson Linux versions prior to r32.5.1 are affected by CVE-2021-34394, impacting NVIDIA Jetson TX2 series, TX2 NX, AGX Xavier series, and Xavier NX.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker running a malicious CA to trigger a buffer overflow, potentially leading to information disclosure and data modification.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-34394, immediate steps should be taken along with long-term security practices and the application of necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that necessary security measures are in place, restrict access to vulnerable systems, and monitor for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement security best practices, conduct regular security audits, and stay informed about potential security threats and patches released by NVIDIA.

Patching and Updates

Apply the relevant patches provided by NVIDIA to address the vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the affected systems.