CVE-2026-47489 in GeForce
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer where permissions on read-only memory might not be preserved. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, denial of service, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The NVIDIA GPU display driver for Linux presents a critical security flaw within its kernel-mode component, specifically concerning the management of memory permissions in read-only segments. This vulnerability arises from an improper handling mechanism where the system fails to strictly enforce or preserve the intended access controls on memory regions designated as read-only. In a properly secured operating environment, such memory sections are protected by hardware-level and software-enforced restrictions that prevent any write operations, ensuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized modifications. However, in this specific instance, the driver allows these protections to be bypassed or inadvertently lifted under certain conditions, effectively converting secure, immutable memory into writable space accessible to lower-privilege processes or malicious actors who have achieved a foothold within the system.
The technical nature of this flaw represents a significant deviation from standard security practices regarding memory protection and privilege separation. By allowing write access to read-only memory, the vulnerability creates an avenue for attackers to alter critical data structures, kernel code segments, or configuration parameters that are typically shielded from modification. This lack of enforcement undermines the fundamental trust model between user-space applications and the kernel-mode driver, which is expected to act as a robust boundary enforcing isolation and integrity constraints. The failure to maintain these permissions suggests either a race condition in permission checks, an incorrect initialization sequence for memory mappings, or a logic error that inadvertently grants elevated write privileges where none should exist.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing code execution, denial of service, privilege escalation, information disclosure, and data tampering. An attacker who successfully leverages this flaw can inject malicious payloads into memory regions intended to be immutable, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution with the high privileges associated with kernel mode. This capability allows for full system compromise, as the attacker gains control over critical operating system functions. Furthermore, the ability to modify read-only data can lead to denial of service by corrupting essential kernel structures or causing system crashes. The vulnerability also facilitates privilege escalation, enabling a low-privilege user to gain administrative rights, and permits information disclosure if sensitive data stored in these memory regions is exposed through unintended write-back mechanisms or side-channel effects resulting from the altered permissions.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes incorrect default permissions where security-critical settings are not set to secure values by default, and more specifically relates to issues involving improper privilege management such as CWE-250: Execution with Unnecessary Privileges or CWE-284: Improper Access Control. In the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw supports techniques associated with Defense Evasion, particularly those involving memory manipulation and hooking, as well as Persistence mechanisms that rely on modifying kernel-level components to maintain access after initial compromise. The ability to write to read-only memory is a classic precursor for advanced persistent threats seeking to establish deep-rooted control over the target infrastructure without triggering standard integrity monitoring alerts.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. NVIDIA has released updated versions of the GPU display driver that correct the permission handling logic in the kernel-mode layer, ensuring that read-only memory segments remain strictly immutable regardless of external requests or internal state changes. Administrators should prioritize applying these vendor-provided patches to all affected systems immediately. Additionally, organizations can implement defense-in-depth measures such as enabling Kernel Self-Protection (KSP) features like KASLR and SMEP/SMEP if supported by the hardware architecture, which add layers of complexity for attackers attempting to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular auditing of driver configurations and monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity using endpoint detection and response tools can also help in identifying potential exploitation attempts before they result in full system compromise.