CVE-2026-47539 in Virtual GPU Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA vGPU Virtual GPU Manager for Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer where an attacker could cause an incorrect numeric conversion. 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 NVIDIA vGPU Virtual GPU Manager for Linux presents a critical security risk rooted in the kernel mode layer of its software architecture. This component is responsible for managing virtualized graphics processing units within Linux environments, facilitating resource sharing among multiple virtual machines or containers. The identified vulnerability stems from an improper handling of numeric data during internal operations, specifically involving incorrect numeric conversion processes. In complex systems like GPU managers, precise arithmetic and type casting are essential to maintain memory integrity and control flow accuracy. When these conversions fail or produce unexpected results due to flawed logic, it creates a foothold for malicious actors to manipulate the system's state in ways that were not intended by the developers.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow or wraparound errors, and potentially CWE-682 regarding incorrect calculation of buffer size if memory allocation is involved. The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger conditions where numeric values are misinterpreted, leading to out-of-bounds accesses or logic bypasses within the kernel space. Because this occurs in the kernel mode layer, the implications extend far beyond standard user-space application vulnerabilities. Kernel-level exploits typically grant attackers direct access to hardware resources and system memory without the restrictions imposed by user-mode security boundaries. This environment is particularly sensitive because any instability can crash the entire host operating system or compromise isolated virtual environments that rely on the vGPU for performance-critical tasks.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. A successful exploit could lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing an attacker to run malicious commands with the highest level of privileges available in the kernel context. This directly facilitates privilege escalation, enabling a low-privileged user or compromised container to gain root access to the host system. Furthermore, the flaw can be leveraged for denial of service attacks by causing kernel panics or crashes through malformed numeric inputs that disrupt normal processing loops. Information disclosure is also a significant risk, as memory corruption resulting from incorrect conversions may expose sensitive data stored in adjacent memory regions, including cryptographic keys or user credentials. Additionally, attackers could tamper with critical system data or configuration files, undermining the integrity of the virtualization infrastructure and potentially affecting other tenants sharing the same physical hardware resources.
To mitigate these risks, organizations deploying NVIDIA vGPU solutions must prioritize immediate patching to update the Virtual GPU Manager software to a version that addresses this numeric conversion flaw. It is crucial to verify that all host systems running Linux are updated according to NVIDIA’s official security advisories. Beyond patching, implementing strict access controls and least-privilege principles can limit the attack surface by ensuring that only authorized processes interact with the vGPU manager components. Network segmentation should be employed to restrict direct kernel-level interactions from untrusted networks or compromised virtual machines. Regular vulnerability scanning focused on kernel modules and hypervisor configurations will help identify any lingering misconfigurations or outdated software versions. Monitoring system logs for unusual kernel activity or unexpected crashes can also provide early detection of exploitation attempts, allowing security teams to respond before significant damage occurs.