CVE-2026-47563 in GeForce
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer where a user could cause a NULL pointer dereference. 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 risk within its kernel mode component, specifically involving the handling of memory pointers during graphics processing operations. This vulnerability stems from an improper validation mechanism where the driver fails to adequately verify that a pointer is valid before attempting to dereference it. In the context of operating system kernels, such as those used in Linux distributions, the boundary between user space and kernel space is strictly enforced to maintain stability and security. When this boundary is breached due to flawed logic within the graphics subsystem, it allows for significant exploitation potential by local users who can interact with the GPU driver interfaces.
The technical flaw centers on a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when specific sequences of commands or data structures are passed from user space to the kernel mode layer of the NVIDIA display driver. Under normal circumstances, the driver should check if a memory address is non-null and accessible before proceeding with operations such as rendering frames or managing buffer objects. However, in this vulnerable scenario, the absence of rigorous checks allows an attacker to supply crafted inputs that result in the system attempting to access memory at address zero. This action triggers a fault within the kernel execution context, disrupting normal process flow and potentially allowing control over the instruction pointer if the exploit is sophisticated enough to manipulate subsequent operations following the crash or exception handling routine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. Since the NVIDIA GPU driver operates with high privileges within the kernel space, a successful exploitation can grant an attacker full control over the underlying operating system. This means that a low-privileged user could escalate their rights to those of the root account, effectively taking complete ownership of the affected machine. Furthermore, the vulnerability facilitates denial of service conditions by causing kernel panics or system crashes when the NULL pointer is accessed, leading to immediate unavailability of the graphical environment and potentially requiring a full system reboot.
Beyond privilege escalation and availability issues, this flaw also opens avenues for information disclosure and data tampering. By carefully crafting exploits that leverage the memory corruption associated with the dereference error, an attacker might be able to read sensitive kernel memory contents or modify critical data structures within the graphics subsystem. This could lead to the leakage of cryptographic keys, user credentials stored in memory, or other confidential system information. Additionally, the ability to tamper with data implies that graphical outputs or internal state variables can be altered maliciously, compromising the integrity of applications relying on accurate GPU processing results.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which denotes NULL Pointer Dereference, indicating a failure in input validation leading to unsafe memory access patterns. In terms of adversarial tactics, it maps closely to ATT&CK technique T1055, specifically the sub-category related to process injection or kernel-level code execution via local exploits. The attack vector is primarily Local (L), requiring physical or logical access to the system where the vulnerable driver is installed, which limits remote exploitation but increases risk in multi-user environments such as servers, workstations with shared accounts, or cloud instances running Linux-based virtual machines with GPU passthrough capabilities.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense is to apply the latest security updates provided by NVIDIA for the specific version of the display driver in use. These patches typically include rigorous input validation checks that prevent NULL pointers from being passed into sensitive kernel functions. Organizations should also enforce strict access controls over GPU device nodes, such as /dev/nvidia*, ensuring that only authorized users and processes can interact with them. Additionally, enabling Kernel Self-Protection features like KASLR (Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization) and SMEP/SMAP on compatible hardware can mitigate the impact of exploitation by making it harder for attackers to predict memory layouts or access kernel memory from user space. Regular auditing of driver configurations and limiting root privileges where possible further reduces the attack surface associated with high-privilege components like GPU drivers.