CVE-2026-47595 in GeForce
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer where an unprivileged user can write to read-only memory because the memory's permissions are not preserved. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, escalation of privileges, denial of service, information disclosure, and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Linux contains a critical security flaw within its kernel mode component that stems from improper handling of memory permissions during runtime operations. This vulnerability arises because the driver fails to preserve read-only access controls on specific memory regions after they have been initially mapped or allocated. In a properly secured system, once a memory segment is designated as read-only for unprivileged processes, subsequent attempts by those same entities to write to that region should be blocked by the operating system's kernel memory management unit. However, in this instance, the NVIDIA driver allows an unprivileged user to bypass these restrictions and perform write operations on memory pages that are explicitly marked as immutable or read-only. This breakdown in permission enforcement represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, allowing local users to manipulate data structures within the kernel space that should remain protected from modification by non-root processes.
The technical nature of this flaw involves a lapse in maintaining state consistency regarding memory protection attributes across different execution contexts within the GPU driver stack. When applications interact with the graphics processing unit through the NVIDIA display driver, they often request access to specific buffers or control structures. While these resources are intended to be read-only for standard user-space applications to prevent accidental corruption or malicious manipulation of critical system data, the driver fails to enforce this constraint consistently after initial initialization. Consequently, an attacker who has gained local access to the system can craft a specialized payload that targets these unprotected memory regions. By exploiting this lack of permission preservation, the attacker gains the ability to overwrite kernel-mode data structures, which are typically isolated from user-space interference to maintain system stability and security integrity.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to full compromise of the affected Linux host. The most critical consequence is arbitrary code execution within the kernel context, as an attacker can modify function pointers or control flow data structures located in read-only memory segments. This capability directly facilitates privilege escalation, allowing a low-privileged user account to gain root-level access and complete control over the operating system. Beyond unauthorized elevation of privileges, the vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions by corrupting critical kernel data, which can cause system crashes or instability. Furthermore, because the attacker can write to memory regions that may contain sensitive information previously written there before being locked down, it opens avenues for information disclosure and data tampering, compromising both confidentiality and integrity of the host environment.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes incorrect default permissions where required security measures are not applied by default. It also relates to CWE-119, specifically improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, as it involves writing outside intended access constraints. In terms of adversary tactics, this flaw supports techniques associated with MITRE ATT&CK ID T1068, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and potentially T1499, endpoint denial of service, depending on how the exploit is leveraged to disrupt system availability. The ability to write to read-only memory in kernel space is a classic precursor to more advanced attacks such as rootkit installation or persistence mechanisms that rely on modifying core operating system components without detection by standard security monitoring tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying vendor-provided patches and updates released by NVIDIA to address the permission handling logic within the GPU display driver. System administrators should prioritize updating the nvidia-driver packages on all affected Linux distributions to ensure that memory protection attributes are correctly enforced during runtime operations. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, restricting physical access to systems running vulnerable versions of the driver can reduce the risk of local exploitation by unprivileged users. Additionally, implementing strict user account management policies and monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity or privilege escalation attempts can help detect potential exploitation efforts in real-time. Regular security audits focusing on kernel module configurations and memory protection settings are also recommended to identify similar misconfigurations across other system components.