CVE-2026-47560 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 cause a use-after-free. 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 GPU Display Driver for Linux presents a critical security flaw within its kernel-mode components, specifically involving improper memory management that results in a use-after-free condition. This vulnerability arises when the driver fails to properly validate pointers or manage reference counts after freeing allocated memory structures. In this scenario, an unprivileged user can trigger operations that cause the system to release certain resources while retaining references to them elsewhere in the kernel space. When these dangling pointers are subsequently accessed by the operating system or other processes, they point to memory locations that may have been reallocated for different purposes. This discrepancy between the expected state of the object and its actual state creates a window where arbitrary code execution becomes possible if an attacker can control the contents of the freed memory region before it is reused.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free vulnerabilities as a class of errors resulting from accessing deallocated memory. The exploitation vector typically involves crafting specific ioctl calls or GPU command buffers that force the driver into an inconsistent state where freed kernel objects are accessed. Because the vulnerability exists in kernel mode, it bypasses many user-space security controls and operates with high privileges within the operating system context. An attacker does not need administrative rights to initiate the exploit sequence; rather, standard access to the graphics device interface is sufficient to trigger the race condition or logic error that leads to the use-after-free state. This lowers the barrier for entry significantly compared to vulnerabilities requiring root access initially.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. The most critical consequence is arbitrary code execution, allowing an attacker to run malicious payloads with kernel-level privileges. This effectively compromises the integrity of the entire system, as the attacker gains full control over the operating system's core functions. Additionally, the vulnerability can lead to denial of service by causing kernel panics or system crashes when invalid memory accesses occur during normal operation. Beyond execution and stability issues, there is a significant risk of privilege escalation, where an unprivileged user elevates their rights to those of the root account. Furthermore, information disclosure may occur if the attacker reads sensitive data from previously allocated but now freed memory regions that have not been securely wiped or overwritten by subsequent allocations. Data tampering is also possible through manipulation of kernel structures governing system behavior or security policies.
This vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, specifically those involving exploitation for initial access followed by lateral movement within the host environment. The ability to execute code in kernel mode places this flaw among the most dangerous categories of software vulnerabilities, as it undermines the fundamental trust model of the operating system. Security researchers classify such issues under high-severity ratings due to their potential for remote or local exploitation leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying vendor-provided patches that address the memory management logic within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver. Organizations should prioritize updating to versions where this use-after-free condition has been resolved through improved pointer validation and reference counting mechanisms. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, restricting access to the graphics device interfaces can reduce the attack surface by limiting which users or processes can interact with the vulnerable kernel components. Additionally, enabling kernel hardening features such as KASLR (Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization) and SMEP/SMAP (Supervisor Mode Execution Prevention / Supervisor Mode Access Prevention) can mitigate the impact of exploitation attempts by making it more difficult for attackers to reliably execute code or access sensitive memory regions. Regular monitoring of system logs for unusual kernel activity related to GPU operations may also aid in detecting attempted exploits before successful compromise occurs.