CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-28184NVD status: Modified

NVIDIA GPU Display Driver: Improper Access Control

CVE-2022-28184 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in NVIDIA GPU Display Driver from NVIDIA, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected NVIDIA GPU Display Driver versions: All GPU Driver versions for Windows and Linux. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.3% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Virtual GPU to 11.8 or 13.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on nvidia.custhelp.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
NVIDIANVIDIA GPU Display DriverAll GPU Driver versions for Windows and LinuxNot stated
NVIDIAGPU Display DriverNot specified in the recordNot stated
NVIDIAVirtual GPU11.0 up to, but not including, 11.8; 13.0 up to, but not including, 13.3; 14.011.8, 13.3

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.1HighCNA (nvidia.com)
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD
CVSS 2.04.6MediumNVD

Official description

NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer (nvlddmkm.sys) handler for DxgkDdiEscape, where an unprivileged regular user can access administrator- privileged registers, which may lead to denial of service, information disclosure, and data tampering.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control

The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
  • Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.

More Improper Access Control vulnerabilities (CWE-284)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in NVIDIA GPU Display Driver

All NVIDIA GPU Display Driver vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities

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