CVE-2026-47515 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 read via an unbounded string operation. 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 characterized as an out-of-bounds read resulting from an unbounded string operation performed by the driver during its normal execution flow. In a typical software architecture, particularly in privileged layers such as the kernel mode, input validation and buffer boundary checks are critical security controls designed to prevent memory corruption or unauthorized data access. The absence of proper bounds checking on user-supplied strings allows for read operations that extend beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially accessing sensitive system structures or adjacent memory regions that should remain inaccessible to standard processes.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers such as CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write if the operation leads to subsequent corruption, though the primary description emphasizes reading beyond boundaries. The exploitation of this flaw does not require physical access or high-level privileges initially; rather, it can be triggered by a local user who has permission to interact with the GPU driver interface. This lowers the barrier for entry significantly compared to vulnerabilities requiring remote code execution or administrative rights. An attacker could craft specific input sequences that exploit the unbounded string handling logic within the kernel-mode driver, causing the system to read memory contents outside of their intended limits.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Because the flaw exists in the kernel mode layer, a successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with SYSTEM or root-level privileges. This effectively grants an attacker complete control over the affected host machine. Beyond direct code execution, the out-of-bounds read capability enables information disclosure, allowing attackers to leak sensitive data from memory such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential user information stored in adjacent buffers. Furthermore, the vulnerability can be leveraged for denial of service conditions by causing kernel panics or system crashes through improper memory access patterns. In scenarios where privilege escalation is not immediately pursued, the ability to tamper with data structures within the driver's context could lead to integrity violations and unauthorized modifications to system state.
In terms of threat modeling and adversary behavior, this vulnerability maps closely to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Specifically, it relates to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if used for initial access or lateral movement, but more critically aligns with T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation due to its location in kernel-mode drivers which are common targets for gaining elevated privileges on both Windows and Linux platforms. The ability to read arbitrary memory also correlates with data exfiltration techniques where sensitive information is gathered from the local system before further exploitation or persistence mechanisms are established.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying vendor-provided security updates that patch the underlying driver code. NVIDIA has released updated versions of their GPU display drivers for Windows and Linux that address this specific out-of-bounds read vulnerability by implementing strict bounds checking on string operations within the kernel-mode layer. Organizations should prioritize updating these drivers across all endpoints to eliminate the attack surface associated with unbounded memory access in privileged contexts. Additionally, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) on Windows systems and utilizing Linux Security Modules like SELinux or AppArmor can help mitigate the impact of successful exploitation by restricting the actions that compromised kernel processes are permitted to perform. Regular monitoring for unusual driver behavior and ensuring that only signed drivers are loaded into the kernel space further reduces the risk associated with such vulnerabilities in graphics subsystems.