CVE-2026-47525 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer where an attacker could cause an improper validation of an array index. 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 by an improper validation of an array index, which represents a critical failure in boundary checking during memory access operations. In high-performance computing environments where graphics processing units are heavily utilized, the display driver serves as a crucial interface between user-space applications and the hardware abstraction layer. When this driver processes input from potentially untrusted sources or malformed data structures, it fails to adequately verify that array indices fall within the allocated bounds of their corresponding memory buffers. This lack of rigorous validation allows an attacker to manipulate index values in ways that bypass standard safety checks inherent to the operating system's kernel security model.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-129, which describes Improper Validation of Array Index. The absence of proper bounds checking enables out-of-bounds read or write operations within the kernel space. Because the vulnerability exists in kernel mode, it bypasses many of the user-mode protections that typically isolate applications from core system functions. An attacker who can trigger this condition through a specially crafted application or malicious input stream gains the ability to access memory regions they should not be able to reach. This capability fundamentally undermines the integrity and confidentiality guarantees provided by the operating system's privilege separation mechanisms, creating a pathway for severe security compromises that extend far beyond simple application crashes.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is extensive due to its location in kernel space. A successful exploit can lead to arbitrary code execution with SYSTEM or root-level privileges, effectively granting full control over the affected machine. This level of access allows attackers to install persistent backdoors, disable security software, and manipulate system configurations without detection. Furthermore, the flaw facilitates denial of service conditions by causing kernel panics or system crashes when invalid memory accesses trigger fatal exceptions in the operating system core. Beyond execution and availability issues, the vulnerability enables information disclosure through out-of-bounds reads that can leak sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including cryptographic keys or user credentials. It also permits data tampering, allowing attackers to modify critical system files or application states by writing to arbitrary memory addresses controlled via the malformed array index.
This type of kernel-level driver vulnerability is frequently associated with privilege escalation techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under tactics related to persistence and defense evasion through local exploitation. Attackers often leverage such flaws to transition from a low-privilege user context to high-privilege administrative access, which is a common step in multi-stage attack campaigns targeting enterprise environments. The presence of this flaw highlights the risks associated with third-party kernel drivers that operate outside the standard sandboxing mechanisms applied to regular applications. Consequently, organizations relying on NVIDIA hardware for graphics-intensive workloads must treat driver updates as critical security patches rather than mere feature enhancements.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve ensuring that all systems running affected versions of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver are updated to the latest stable release provided by the vendor. These updates typically include corrected validation logic and enhanced boundary checks within the kernel-mode components. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators should consider implementing strict application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized or unverified software from interacting with the display driver interfaces. 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 it more difficult for attackers to predict memory layouts and execute injected payloads. Regular vulnerability scanning focused on driver versions and component integrity checks should also be integrated into routine security operations to detect potential exposure before exploitation occurs.