CVE-2026-47528 in Firmware
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability in the firmware where an attacker could cause an access of an uninitialized pointer. 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 • 10/01/2026
The identified vulnerability resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for both Windows and Linux operating systems, specifically affecting the firmware layer that manages hardware interactions. This flaw is characterized by an improper initialization of memory pointers prior to their usage, a classic software defect often categorized under CWE-824 as Access of Uninitialized Pointer. In this context, the driver fails to properly allocate or assign valid memory addresses before attempting to dereference them during specific rendering or display operations. When the system encounters these uninitialized references, it may interpret random garbage data in memory as executable code or valid pointers, leading to unpredictable behavior within the kernel space where the driver operates with high privileges.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted due to the privileged nature of GPU drivers. An attacker who can trigger the specific conditions required to access these uninitialized pointers may achieve arbitrary code execution on the target system. This capability allows for full control over the affected machine, potentially leading to a complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Furthermore, because GPU drivers operate at ring 0 or equivalent kernel levels in modern operating systems, successful exploitation can facilitate privilege escalation from standard user accounts to administrative rights. The vulnerability also poses significant risks related to denial of service, as accessing invalid memory addresses typically causes system crashes or blue screens, disrupting normal operations. Additionally, the ability to read uninitialized memory regions may result in information disclosure, exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys or other process memories residing in adjacent heap structures.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through kernel exploitation. Attackers could leverage this flaw to bypass security controls that rely on user-mode isolation, effectively moving laterally within a network if the compromised host serves as an entry point for further attacks. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely deployed hardware drivers highlights the critical need for rigorous memory safety checks during driver development and firmware updates. Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying vendor-provided patches that correct the pointer initialization logic. Organizations should prioritize updating their GPU drivers to versions where this issue has been resolved, ensuring that all systems with NVIDIA graphics hardware are protected against potential exploitation attempts targeting these low-level system components.