CVE-2026-47504 in Linux GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA Linux GPU Display Driver contains a vulnerability in the NGX updater where an outdated embedded cryptographic library is susceptible to type confusion. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, denial of service, information disclosure, or data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The NVIDIA Linux GPU Display Driver incorporates a component known as the NGX updater, which is responsible for managing updates and configuration files related to NVIDIA graphics processing units on Linux systems. Within this subsystem lies a critical security flaw stemming from an outdated embedded cryptographic library that fails to properly validate data types during execution. This specific technical deficiency manifests as a type confusion vulnerability, where the software incorrectly interprets or handles different data structures due to insufficient checks on variable types before they are processed by cryptographic functions. In secure programming practices, strict typing and validation are essential to prevent attackers from injecting malicious payloads that exploit mismatches between expected and actual data formats. The presence of legacy code within this embedded library suggests a lack of regular security audits or updates for third-party dependencies integrated into the driver package, leaving it exposed to known exploitation techniques associated with type confusion errors in cryptographic contexts.
From an operational perspective, the impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker who successfully leverages this flaw could achieve arbitrary code execution on the affected system, effectively gaining full control over the host environment where the NVIDIA driver is installed. This level of access allows for complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Specifically, denial of service conditions can be triggered by crashing the graphics subsystem or the entire operating system kernel if the vulnerability affects privileged components. Furthermore, information disclosure becomes possible as the attacker may read sensitive memory contents or intercept cryptographic keys used during secure communications. Data tampering is also a significant risk, allowing adversaries to modify configuration files or intercepted data streams without detection, thereby undermining trust in the integrity of the computing environment.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-843, which describes access to incorrect memory location due to type confusion, and potentially CWE-20 regarding improper input validation within cryptographic operations. In terms of tactical mapping under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates initial code execution techniques such as process injection or exploitation for privilege escalation if the driver operates with elevated privileges. The use of an outdated library indicates a failure in supply chain security and dependency management, highlighting the need for rigorous software composition analysis to identify vulnerable components before deployment.
To mitigate these risks, immediate action is required from system administrators and developers utilizing NVIDIA Linux GPU drivers. Updating to the latest version of the driver package provided by NVIDIA is the primary remediation strategy, as newer releases typically include patched versions of embedded libraries with updated cryptographic implementations that enforce strict type checking. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement in case a host is compromised via this vector. Additionally, adopting secure coding standards and regularly auditing third-party dependencies for known vulnerabilities will help prevent similar issues in future software updates. Monitoring security advisories from NVIDIA and maintaining an inventory of all installed driver versions are essential practices for ongoing vulnerability management in environments relying on GPU-accelerated computing infrastructure.