CVE-2021-23201 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-23201 affecting NVIDIA GPU and Tegra hardware. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies to address this high-severity vulnerability.
NVIDIA GPU and Tegra hardware contain a vulnerability in an internal microcontroller that could allow a user with elevated privileges to generate valid microcode, leading to potential information disclosure, data corruption, or denial of service attacks.
Understanding CVE-2021-23201
This section details the impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-23201.
What is CVE-2021-23201?
The vulnerability in NVIDIA GPU and Tegra hardware allows users with elevated privileges to manipulate microcode, potentially resulting in information disclosure, data corruption, or denial of service attacks.
The Impact of CVE-2021-23201
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with the potential to disrupt systems, compromise data integrity, and lead to unauthorized access.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-23201
Below are the technical details associated with CVE-2021-23201.
Vulnerability Description
A user with elevated privileges can exploit the internal microcontroller in NVIDIA GPU and Tegra hardware by generating and loading vulnerable microcode, posing risks of information disclosure and service disruption.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects various NVIDIA products including Turing, Volta, Pascal, Maxwell, Tegra X1, Tegra X1+, Tegra TX2, and Xavier.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with 'High' privileges exploit this vulnerability locally to manipulate microcode, potentially leading to data exposure, corruption, or device unavailability.
Mitigation and Prevention
Effective measures to address CVE-2021-23201 are crucial to safeguard systems. Here are recommended steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update NVIDIA GPU and Tegra hardware with security patches provided by the vendor.
- Limit user privileges to minimize the risk of unauthorized microcode manipulation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and analyze system logs for unusual activities.
- Implement access controls and firewalls to restrict unauthorized access.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security advisories from NVIDIA and promptly install software updates to mitigate known vulnerabilities.