CVE-2022-28194 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article discusses a vulnerability in the NVIDIA Jetson Linux Driver Package that affects Jetson AGX Xavier series and Jetson Xavier NX devices. The vulnerability allows a local attacker with elevated privileges to trigger a memory buffer overflow in the Cboot module, potentially leading to code execution and other security impacts.

Understanding CVE-2022-28194

CVE-2022-28194 is a security vulnerability found in the Cboot module of the NVIDIA Jetson Linux Driver Package. When TFTP is enabled, an attacker with elevated privileges can exploit this vulnerability to trigger a memory buffer overflow.

What is CVE-2022-28194?

The vulnerability in the Cboot module of the NVIDIA Jetson Linux Driver Package allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code by causing a memory buffer overflow. The attacker needs elevated privileges to exploit this vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2022-28194

The impact of CVE-2022-28194 includes the potential for code execution, loss of integrity, limited denial of service, and some impact on confidentiality. The severity of the impact is rated as high.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-28194

The vulnerability is assigned a CVSS base score of 7.3, indicating a high severity level. The attack complexity is low, with a local attack vector. While the confidentiality impact is low, the integrity impact is high, and privileges are not required for exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2022-28194 is categorized under CWE-119, which relates to the improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. The vulnerability resides in the Cboot module's tegrabl_cbo.c component.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include the Jetson AGX Xavier series and Jetson Xavier NX devices. Specifically, all 32.x versions prior to 32.7.2 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

A local attacker with elevated privileges can exploit the vulnerability by enabling TFTP, causing a memory buffer overflow in the Cboot module. This action can lead to severe consequences, including code execution and integrity loss.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-28194, immediate and long-term security measures are recommended to safeguard affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their systems to version 32.7.2 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability. Disabling unnecessary services, including TFTP, can also reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access controls, regular security updates, and continuous monitoring can enhance the overall security posture and prevent future exploits.

Patching and Updates

NVIDIA has released patches for the affected versions. Users are urged to apply the latest updates promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.