External risk intelligence

Arm Mali GPU Driver Memory Access Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2023-4211

A vulnerability in ARM GPU kernel drivers could allow a local user to access freed memory. This may impact systems that use these drivers, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and business risk. Affected organizations should consult vendor guidance for mitigation.

1Halo Surface Signal

Use After Free

Arm 5th Gen Gpu Architecture Kernel Driver

r41p0 to before r43p0r0p0 to before r43p0r12p0 to r32p0r19p0 to before r43p0

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2023-4211

This vulnerability resides within GPU kernel drivers. Exploitation requires local, non-privileged access to the system to interact with the device driver. It is not reachable via the public internet or network services, making public exposure effectively non-existent.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability exists within ARM's GPU kernel drivers, specifically affecting their 5th Gen, Bifrost, Midgard, and Valhall architectures. The flaw stems from improper handling of GPU memory operations, allowing a local, non-privileged user to access memory that has already been freed. This could lead to unauthorized information disclosure or other impacts on the affected systems.

  • Vulnerable component: ARM GPU kernel drivers
  • Core weakness: Improper memory processing
  • Main business impact: Unauthorized data access

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A local, non-privileged user can exploit a vulnerability in the GPU memory processing operations. This allows the user to gain access to memory that has already been freed. This type of vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system instability.

  • Local user access required.
  • Improper memory operations trigger.
  • Control or impact gained.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a low-level threat that requires direct access to an affected system. An attacker with local access could potentially exploit this by performing specific memory operations. The resulting impact could involve unauthorized access to freed memory, potentially leading to data disclosure.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Local system access
  • Business risk or urgency: Low

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An organization should address a vulnerability in ARM Mali GPU Kernel Drivers that allows a local user to access freed memory. This situation presents a risk of unauthorized data access for affected systems. Organizations need to take a structured approach to manage this vulnerability.

  • Find affected systems.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Arm Mali GPU kernel driver and what is it used for?

The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver is a component of ARM's graphics processing unit (GPU) architecture. It is used to manage and process graphics operations on devices equipped with Mali GPUs, enabling the rendering of visuals for applications and the operating system.

What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2023-4211 in Arm Mali GPU drivers?

CVE-2023-4211 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416). This means the driver improperly handles GPU memory, allowing a local user to access memory that has already been deallocated, potentially leading to unauthorized data access.

What are the conditions for this CVE-2023-4211 vulnerability to be triggered?

This vulnerability is triggered by a local, non-privileged user. They must perform improper GPU memory processing operations. Accessing the system directly is required; it is not triggered by network-based attacks.

Who needs to be concerned about this Arm GPU driver vulnerability?

Organizations running Arm Mali GPU kernel drivers on their systems should be concerned. According to Halo Surface Signal analysis, this vulnerability is classified as internal because exploitation requires local system access, meaning it's not exposed to the public internet.

What is the first step for responding to this Arm Mali GPU driver issue?

The first step is to identify all systems running affected versions of the Arm Mali GPU kernel drivers. Once identified, organizations should consult Arm's security advisories for specific mitigation or update instructions to address the vulnerability.

References