CVE-2026-47546 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 improper input validation. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, denial of service, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for both Windows and Linux operating systems, specifically affecting the firmware component that manages hardware-level interactions. This vulnerability is characterized by improper input validation mechanisms embedded in the driver's communication protocols with the graphics processing unit. The root cause lies in the failure of the system to adequately sanitize or verify data inputs before they are processed by low-level firmware routines. In complex software architectures like GPU drivers, which operate at a high privilege level close to the hardware kernel, such lapses in validation can have severe consequences as they allow external entities to inject malformed or maliciously crafted data structures into the execution flow of the driver.
From an operational perspective, this technical deficiency creates multiple attack vectors that compromise the integrity and availability of the system hosting the affected GPU. An attacker who successfully exploits this improper input validation could achieve arbitrary code execution by manipulating memory states or instruction pointers within the kernel space. This capability effectively bypasses standard user-level security controls, granting the adversary a foothold with elevated privileges equivalent to those of the operating system's root or administrator accounts. Consequently, the vulnerability facilitates privilege escalation, allowing low-privileged users or remote attackers to gain full control over the compromised machine.
The impact extends beyond mere access control violations. The flaw can be leveraged to trigger denial of service conditions by causing the GPU driver or the underlying hardware to enter an unstable state, leading to system crashes or unresponsive graphics subsystems that disrupt critical operations. Furthermore, because the vulnerability affects firmware-level processes, it opens pathways for information disclosure and data tampering. Attackers may read sensitive memory contents containing cryptographic keys, user credentials, or proprietary algorithms, while also modifying stored data without detection due to the deep integration of the driver with system storage mechanisms. This level of compromise undermines trust in the confidentiality and integrity guarantees provided by standard security models.
In terms of industry classification standards, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, which describes failures to verify or incorrectly verifies input that can affect control flow or data manipulation. Additionally, given its potential for privilege escalation and code execution within a system component, it maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving initial access via supply chain compromise or exploitation of software vulnerabilities during lateral movement phases. The specific context of GPU drivers also highlights risks associated with hardware-software interface weaknesses that are often overlooked in traditional application-layer security assessments.
To mitigate these risks, immediate action is required from system administrators and end-users to apply the latest patches released by NVIDIA for their respective operating systems. These updates typically include corrected input validation logic within the driver firmware and enhanced boundary checks during data processing routines. Organizations should prioritize updating GPU drivers across all endpoints, particularly those handling sensitive workloads or connected to untrusted networks. Additionally implementing strict application whitelisting policies can reduce the attack surface by preventing unauthorized binaries from interacting with the vulnerable driver components. Regular security audits focusing on peripheral device drivers and firmware integrity checks are recommended to detect any signs of exploitation attempts before they lead to full system compromise.