CVE-2019-5674 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

NVIDIA GeForce Experience prior to version 3.18 is affected by a security vulnerability related to ShadowPlay or GameStream, potentially leading to code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2019-5674

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in NVIDIA GeForce Experience that could be exploited when certain features are enabled, allowing unauthorized access to the system.

What is CVE-2019-5674?

The vulnerability in NVIDIA GeForce Experience before version 3.18 occurs when an attacker gains system access and creates a hard link. The software fails to detect such attacks, creating opportunities for serious security issues like code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5674

The presence of this vulnerability poses significant risks to affected systems, potentially leading to severe consequences such as unauthorized code execution, service disruption, or unauthorized privilege elevation.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5674

NVIDIA GeForce Experience's vulnerability to hard link attacks and the associated risks are detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when ShadowPlay or GameStream is enabled in NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
Unauthorized individuals gaining system access and creating a hard link can exploit this vulnerability.
The software's failure to detect hard link attacks opens the door to code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GeForce Experience
Vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
Versions Affected: Before 3.18

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with system access create hard links to exploit the vulnerability.
Failure of the software to detect hard link attacks allows for potential code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5674 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable ShadowPlay and GameStream features in NVIDIA GeForce Experience if not essential.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
Implement strict access controls and permissions to limit system access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update NVIDIA GeForce Experience to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Educate users on best practices for system security and awareness of social engineering tactics.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by NVIDIA promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.