The CVE-2021-28663 vulnerability affects the Arm Mali GPU kernel driver and allows privilege escalation or information disclosure. The vulnerability arises from mishandled GPU memory operations leading to a use-after-free condition. This affects versions of Bifrost from r0p0 to r28p0, Valhall from r19p0 to r28p0, and Midgard from r4p0 to r30p0. Given the high CVSS score of 8.8, this vulnerability demands immediate attention from organizations utilizing affected GPU drivers.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges. The exploitability of this vulnerability is classified as critical, highlighting its significance in the threat landscape. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver vulnerability was published on May 10, 2021, and is analyzed under the CVE framework. With the advent of public proof-of-concepts and its addition to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, the urgency for remediation has increased. Organizations are advised to stay vigilant and apply updates as per vendor instructions.
In addition to applying patches, organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their GPU drivers and associated applications to identify any potential exposures. This proactive approach will fortify defenses against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows privilege escalation or information disclosure because GPU memory operations are mishandled, leading to a use-after-free. This affects Bifrost r0p0 through r28p0 before r29p0, Valhall r19p0 through r28p0 before r29p0, and Midgard r4p0 through r30p0.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, categorized as HIGH severity. The attack vector is NETWORK, with low attack complexity. The privileges required are low, and no user interaction is needed. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all classified as HIGH.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which pertains to use-after-free issues. Organizations should be aware that exploitation could lead to significant consequences if not remediated.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is due to mishandling GPU memory operations. The attack vector is network-based, allowing potential exploitation from remote systems. The attack complexity is low, requiring only basic privileges for exploitation. No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed.
The confidentiality impact is classified as HIGH, as attackers may gain access to sensitive information. The integrity impact is also HIGH, possibly allowing unauthorized modifications. Lastly, the availability impact is classified as HIGH, leading to potential denial of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing the affected Arm Mali GPU kernel driver face significant risks. The vulnerability allows a non-privileged user to perform improper operations on GPU memory, potentially leading to root privilege escalation and information disclosure. The blast radius is considerable, affecting a wide range of products across various deployments.
Given the CVSS score of 8.8 and its active status in the KEV catalog, organizations must assess their exposure and prioritize remediation accordingly. The potential for exploitation exists, particularly in environments where the affected GPU drivers are used.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include the following GPUs:
Bifrost: r0p0 to r28p0 before r29p0, Valhall: r19p0 to r28p0 before r29p0, Midgard: r4p0 to r30p0. Organizations should ensure they are running a version that includes the vendor's patch.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to patch the vulnerability in the Arm Mali GPU kernel driver. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to affected systems and enhancing monitoring for unusual activity.
For comprehensive security, organizations may also want to engage in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of security measures.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for log indicators related to unexpected memory access patterns can help in identifying potential exploitation attempts. Behavioral anomalies in GPU operations or unusual access to GPU memory should also be tracked.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-28663 lies in its representation of how GPU vulnerabilities can expose critical system resources. The trend of increasing GPU complexity demands constant vigilance from security teams. Lessons learned from this vulnerability emphasize the need for robust memory management practices in driver development.
For organizations looking to fortify their defenses, adopting a penetration testing methodology can provide insights into potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Moreover, continuous monitoring and assessment through vulnerability management programs are essential to adapt to the evolving threat landscape and mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-28663.
Finally, leveraging tools for API penetration testing will ensure that all aspects of the application security posture are examined thoroughly.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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