CVE-2026-47530 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 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 characterized as an out-of-bounds write condition, which represents a critical memory safety violation 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, such operations often occur during complex rendering pipelines, hardware state management, or interrupt handling routines that interact directly with physical video memory and system RAM. The kernel mode layer operates at the highest level of privilege on an operating system, granting unrestricted access to all resources and allowing direct interaction with hardware components. Consequently, any instability or incorrect behavior in this layer can have profound implications for system stability and security integrity.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds writes are particularly dangerous because they allow an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory structures that may contain critical control data, such as function pointers, return addresses, or object headers. By carefully crafting the input payload, an adversary can manipulate these overwritten values to redirect program execution flow. This capability transforms what might initially appear as a simple buffer corruption issue into a potent mechanism for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability likely stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data before it is processed by the driver's kernel routines. Without rigorous bounds checking or proper sanitization of input parameters, malicious actors can exploit this lack of verification to write beyond allocated memory limits, thereby corrupting the system state in a controlled manner that facilitates further exploitation stages.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. The primary consequence is arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges, which effectively grants an attacker full control over the underlying operating system. This level of access allows for complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can escalate their privileges from a standard user context to that of the SYSTEM or root account, bypassing all security controls designed to isolate applications. Furthermore, the vulnerability enables denial of service conditions by crashing the kernel or causing graphical subsystem failures, leading to system reboots or unresponsive displays. Information disclosure is also possible as overwritten memory may reveal sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other users' private information stored in adjacent memory regions. Data tampering capabilities allow attackers to modify critical system files or configurations without detection, potentially establishing persistent backdoors or altering security policies.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-787, which classifies out-of-bounds writes as a distinct category of memory corruption flaws. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploit path corresponds to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, specifically leveraging kernel vulnerabilities to gain higher-level access while avoiding detection by endpoint security solutions. The ability to execute code in kernel mode places it within high-impact categories such as System Binary Proxy Execution or Direct Kernel Object Manipulation, depending on the specific exploitation method employed. Organizations must recognize that driver vulnerabilities are particularly critical because they often run with persistent privileges and interact directly with hardware, making them attractive targets for advanced persistent threats seeking long-term access to enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver to the latest stable version provided by the vendor, as these updates typically include fixes that enforce strict memory bounds checking and improve input validation logic. In scenarios where updating drivers is not immediately feasible due to compatibility constraints or operational requirements, organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to systems running vulnerable driver versions from untrusted networks. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions with kernel-mode monitoring capabilities can help detect anomalous behavior associated with exploitation attempts, such as unexpected memory writes or privilege escalation events. Security teams should also enforce strict application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized software from interacting with the graphics subsystem in ways that could trigger this vulnerability. Regular auditing of driver versions across all endpoints and maintaining an inventory of installed hardware components are essential practices for managing exposure to such low-level system flaws.