CVE-2026-47514 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 exposure of kernel stack contents including return addresses and pointers. 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 improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, commonly associated with CWE-120 or related out-of-bounds access categories depending on the precise trigger mechanism. The core technical issue involves insufficient validation checks during data handling processes in the kernel space, allowing a local user to manipulate input parameters that lead to unauthorized reads from the kernel stack. This misconfiguration results in the exposure of sensitive memory contents, specifically return addresses and function pointers stored within the kernel stack frame. Such information leakage is critical because it provides attackers with the necessary context to bypass security mechanisms like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), which relies on keeping these memory locations unpredictable to prevent exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows a local user who has already gained access to the system to interact with the GPU driver in a way that triggers the stack information leak. The immediate impact is the disclosure of kernel memory contents, which serves as a foundational step for more severe attacks. By obtaining valid return addresses and pointers, an attacker can construct precise payloads designed to hijack control flow within the operating system. This capability significantly lowers the barrier for executing arbitrary code with high privileges. Consequently, the potential consequences extend far beyond simple information disclosure. A successful exploit could lead to full remote or local code execution under the context of the kernel, effectively granting the attacker complete control over the underlying hardware and software stack.
The severity of this vulnerability is amplified by its potential to facilitate privilege escalation. Since the NVIDIA GPU driver operates with high-level system privileges in both Windows and Linux environments, compromising it allows a standard user account to elevate their rights to those of the SYSTEM or root user. This transition enables the attacker to install programs, view, change, or delete arbitrary data, and create new accounts with full administrative permissions. Furthermore, the vulnerability can be leveraged for denial-of-service attacks by causing kernel panics or system crashes through malformed inputs that corrupt stack integrity beyond just reading it. Data tampering is also a significant risk, as an attacker with this level of access can modify critical system files or driver configurations to persist malicious activities or disrupt normal operations.
In terms of threat modeling and industry standards, this vulnerability aligns closely with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically Command and Scripting Interpreter sub-techniques that leverage local exploits for privilege escalation. It also relates to T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where the attacker leverages software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level access. The information disclosure aspect maps directly to CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on established risk frameworks and common attack patterns observed in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies must focus primarily on timely patching. NVIDIA has released updates for the affected GPU Display Driver versions that address this kernel-mode validation flaw. System administrators should ensure that all workstations and servers running vulnerable driver versions are updated to the latest stable release provided by NVIDIA. In addition to software updates, organizations should enforce strict least-privilege policies to limit which users can install or interact with device drivers. Implementing application whitelisting solutions can prevent unauthorized execution of scripts or binaries that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Furthermore, enabling kernel patch protection mechanisms such as PatchGuard on Windows and ensuring secure boot configurations are active can add layers of defense against exploitation attempts even if the initial memory leak occurs. Regular auditing of driver installations and monitoring for anomalous system behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts are also recommended defensive measures.