CVE-2026-47552 in GPU Display Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer where an unprivileged user could bypass an authorization check and modify privileged configuration. 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 NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux, specifically targeting the kernel mode layer which operates with high-level system privileges. This architectural position grants the driver direct access to critical hardware resources and core operating system functions, making any security lapse in this tier particularly severe. The root cause of the issue is a failure in the authorization logic during configuration modification processes. Specifically, the driver does not adequately verify whether the requesting process possesses the necessary administrative rights before allowing changes to privileged settings. This oversight allows an unprivileged user, who typically has limited access permissions within the operating system environment, to interact with components that should be restricted to root or administrator accounts only.
From a technical perspective, this flaw represents a classic privilege escalation vector where boundary checks between user space and kernel space are insufficiently enforced. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass standard security controls by manipulating configuration parameters that control GPU behavior, memory allocation, or display output settings. Because these configurations often influence how the hardware interacts with system memory and other peripherals, altering them without proper authentication can destabilize the entire computing environment. An attacker leveraging this flaw could potentially inject malicious code into kernel space, execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, or disrupt normal operations by misconfiguring critical subsystems.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is multifaceted and severe. Code execution at the kernel level provides an attacker with complete control over the affected system, effectively compromising its integrity and confidentiality. Denial of service conditions can be induced by forcing the GPU driver into invalid states that cause system crashes or freezes, disrupting availability for legitimate users. Furthermore, the ability to modify privileged configurations opens avenues for information disclosure, as sensitive data processed by the GPU may become accessible to unauthorized parties through manipulated memory mappings or logging mechanisms. Data tampering is also a significant risk, as attackers could alter output streams or stored results generated by GPU-accelerated applications, leading to corrupted outputs in scientific computing, financial modeling, or other critical workflows dependent on accurate computational results.
In terms of industry standard classifications, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Management, as it involves the failure to enforce proper access control checks for privileged operations. Additionally, from a tactical standpoint relevant to threat intelligence frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with privilege escalation and defense evasion, allowing adversaries to move laterally within a network or maintain persistent access by gaining root-level credentials through driver exploitation. The lack of strict validation against untrusted input in the kernel mode layer is a critical deviation from secure coding practices recommended for operating system components.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching via vendor-provided updates that address the authorization check logic within the display driver's kernel module. System administrators should ensure that NVIDIA drivers are kept up to date with security fixes released by the manufacturer, as these patches typically include rigorous input validation and permission verification routines. In environments where updating is not immediately feasible, restricting access to GPU-related device nodes in /dev can limit exposure, although this may impact legitimate application functionality. Implementing strict file system permissions on driver binaries and configuration files adds an additional layer of defense by preventing unprivileged users from loading or modifying vulnerable components. Regular auditing of kernel module loads and monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts can also help detect exploitation activities early in the attack lifecycle.