CVE-2026-47509 in GeForce
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer, where a user could cause an out-of-bounds write. 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 identified vulnerability resides within the kernel-mode components of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for both Windows and Linux operating systems. This specific flaw is classified as an out-of-bounds write, a critical memory corruption issue where software writes data to a memory location outside the boundaries of the intended buffer or array. In the context of graphics processing unit drivers, which operate with high privileges in kernel space, such errors are particularly severe because they allow manipulation of system-critical structures and memory regions that are normally inaccessible to standard user applications. The root cause typically involves insufficient validation of input parameters or index values before performing write operations on allocated memory blocks, leading to the overwriting of adjacent memory contents.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-787, which denotes out-of-bounds writes in C and C++ programs. The exploitation mechanism generally involves an attacker providing crafted input that triggers the driver to write data beyond its allocated buffer limits. Depending on the specific memory layout at runtime, these overwritten bytes may corrupt adjacent variables, function pointers, or control structures such as stack frames or heap metadata. This corruption can alter program flow, allowing the execution of arbitrary code chosen by the attacker. The presence of this flaw in a kernel-mode driver means that any local user with access to the graphics subsystem can potentially trigger this condition without requiring elevated privileges initially, making it an attractive target for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is extensive and multifaceted. As noted in the description, a successful exploit could lead to arbitrary code execution within kernel space, effectively granting the attacker full control over the operating system. This capability facilitates denial of service conditions by crashing the graphics subsystem or the entire OS through memory corruption that destabilizes critical processes. Furthermore, it enables escalation of privileges from a standard user account to SYSTEM or root level access. Beyond immediate control, the vulnerability allows for information disclosure, as out-of-bounds reads often accompany writes in such scenarios, potentially leaking sensitive kernel data or cryptographic keys. Data tampering is also possible, where an attacker modifies system configurations or application states persistently across reboots if they can write to persistent storage structures via memory manipulation techniques.
In terms of threat modeling and adversary behavior, this vulnerability maps directly to the MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1055, specifically Process Injection under Privileged Process Hijacking, as well as T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution if leveraged through a web-based attack vector that interacts with the driver. The ability to execute code in kernel space places this flaw within the highest severity tier of risk assessments, often categorized as Critical due to its potential for remote or local privilege escalation without user interaction beyond initial access to the vulnerable service. Security analysts should treat such vulnerabilities as high-priority targets for exploitation by advanced persistent threats seeking deep system compromise.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying vendor-provided patches that address the memory validation logic within the driver's kernel-mode components. Organizations must ensure timely deployment of updated NVIDIA GPU Display Driver versions that include fixes for this out-of-bounds write condition. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing strict application whitelisting and restricting user access to graphics-intensive applications can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, enabling hardware-enforced stack protection features such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) can mitigate the likelihood of successful code execution by making memory layout unpredictable and preventing executable code from running in non-executable memory regions. Continuous monitoring for anomalous driver behavior and regular security audits of third-party kernel modules are essential practices to maintain system integrity against such low-level vulnerabilities.