CVE-2025-23276 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2025
NVIDIA Installer for Windows contains a vulnerability where an attacker may be able to escalate privileges. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to escalation of privileges, denial of service, code execution, information disclosure and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-23276 resides within the NVIDIA Installer for Windows component, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that adversaries can exploit to gain elevated system access. This installer serves as the primary mechanism for deploying NVIDIA graphics drivers and associated software on Windows platforms, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent system control. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the installer's execution environment, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate installation processes and elevate their privileges beyond normal user limitations.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the installer's runtime behavior or by leveraging insufficient input validation during the installation process. Attackers can potentially inject malicious code or modify installation parameters to execute arbitrary commands with system-level privileges. The flaw likely involves inadequate privilege checking mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to bypass standard Windows security controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources that should be restricted to administrators or system processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass multiple serious security consequences. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also poses risks for denial of service attacks, where malicious actors could disrupt legitimate installation processes or system operations. Information disclosure becomes possible as attackers gain access to sensitive system data that should remain protected. Additionally, data tampering capabilities allow adversaries to modify system files, registry entries, or driver components, potentially creating backdoors or persistent access mechanisms that could evade detection for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-23276 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from NVIDIA, as this represents a critical security flaw requiring urgent attention. System administrators should implement restrictive access controls on installation directories and ensure that only authorized personnel can execute installer components. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures can limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Monitoring for unusual installation activities or unauthorized privilege escalation attempts should be implemented through security information and event management systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and maps to ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing application control policies to restrict execution of unsigned installer components and maintain comprehensive system integrity monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.