CVE-2025-23278 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2025
NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability where an attacker might cause an improper index validation by issuing a call with crafted parameters. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to data tampering or denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-23278 resides within NVIDIA's display drivers for both Windows and Linux operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that could be exploited to manipulate system resources through improper index validation. This issue manifests when the driver receives crafted parameters through API calls, leading to potential unauthorized access or system instability. The flaw specifically targets the validation mechanisms that govern how the driver processes index-based operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures or disrupt normal system operations.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of "Improper Validation of Array Index" which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices. The improper index validation occurs at the driver level where input parameters are not adequately checked before being used to access memory locations or system resources. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific API calls that bypass normal validation procedures, potentially allowing them to read or write to memory locations outside the intended bounds. The root cause lies in insufficient boundary checking within the driver's parameter processing logic, which fails to validate the range and legitimacy of index values before using them in memory operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and system states. From an attacker's perspective, successful exploitation could result in data tampering through memory corruption, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or information disclosure. The denial of service aspect presents a more immediate threat as attackers could destabilize graphics rendering processes, causing system crashes or complete graphical interface failures. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could be particularly dangerous as it affects both desktop and server systems running NVIDIA graphics hardware, potentially impacting critical business operations. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that organizations using NVIDIA graphics solutions on both Windows and Linux systems face identical risks, requiring coordinated patching efforts across different operating environments.
Security professionals should implement layered mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves applying the latest NVIDIA driver updates which contain patches specifically designed to correct the index validation issues. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous API call patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual parameter combinations that could trigger the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of systems running affected drivers, especially in environments where graphics processing is critical to operations. The vulnerability's characteristics align with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 tactic for Windows and T1059.002 for Linux environments, where adversaries might leverage driver-level vulnerabilities to achieve system persistence or privilege escalation. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected NVIDIA drivers and prioritize patching efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality.