CVE-2026-47562 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 a user could inject crafted text into the kernel log because the supplied version string is not properly sanitized. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to denial of service and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux, specifically targeting the kernel mode layer which operates with high privileges and direct access to hardware resources. This architectural position is critical because any compromise at this level can bypass standard user-space security controls, potentially granting an attacker full control over the system or causing significant instability. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input validation regarding version strings passed by userspace applications to the kernel driver interface. When these strings are processed without adequate sanitization, they allow for the injection of arbitrary text into the kernel log buffer. This specific technical flaw is categorized under CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, as it involves failing to neutralize special elements that could alter how output is interpreted or stored within the system logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple log pollution. While the immediate manifestation appears to be the injection of crafted text into kernel logs, which might seem like a low-severity issue in isolation, the underlying mechanism poses significant risks for denial of service and data tampering. An attacker who can inject arbitrary content into system logs may attempt to obscure malicious activities by flooding or corrupting log entries, thereby hindering incident response efforts and forensic analysis. Furthermore, if the logging subsystem is vulnerable to buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues triggered by these injected strings, it could lead to a kernel panic or crash, resulting in a denial of service condition where the system becomes unresponsive or requires a hard reboot. In more sophisticated attack scenarios, manipulating log data can be part of an attempt to tamper with audit trails, making it difficult for administrators to detect subsequent privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized access patterns.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts if the attacker has legitimate system access, and potentially T1562 Impair Defenses through log manipulation. The ability to inject data into kernel logs represents an attempt to impair defensive mechanisms by degrading the integrity of security monitoring tools that rely on accurate syslog or dmesg outputs for alerting and detection. Without proper sanitization, even a local unprivileged user can potentially exploit this flaw to degrade system reliability or mask their presence during a broader attack campaign. The severity is compounded by the fact that GPU drivers are often loaded early in the boot process and remain resident throughout the session, providing a persistent vector for exploitation if not patched.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term defensive hardening. The primary solution is to apply the vendor-provided security patches or driver updates that address the input validation logic within the kernel mode layer. Administrators should ensure that NVIDIA drivers are kept up-to-date with the latest stable releases which include fixes for known vulnerabilities in the display stack. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, restricting access to GPU device nodes and limiting user privileges can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implementing robust log monitoring solutions that detect anomalies in kernel log patterns may help identify exploitation attempts early. Security teams should also review their logging infrastructure to ensure it is resilient against injection attacks, potentially by using structured logging formats or dedicated security information and event management systems that validate input before storage. Regular audits of driver configurations and adherence to least privilege principles are essential components of a comprehensive defense strategy against such kernel-level vulnerabilities.