CVE-2026-69005 in Exynos
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2026
Integer overflow in NPU driver parameter processing due to insufficient bounds checking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2026
The vulnerability identified involves an integer overflow within the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) driver, specifically occurring during the processing of input parameters. This flaw stems from a critical lack of sufficient bounds checking when validating numerical values passed by user-space applications or higher-level system components to the kernel-mode driver interface. In modern computing architectures, NPUs are increasingly utilized for accelerating machine learning workloads, requiring complex data structures and large buffers to handle tensor operations efficiently. When parameters such as buffer sizes, array dimensions, or loop counters are processed without rigorous validation against their expected maximum limits, arithmetic operations can exceed the capacity of the allocated integer variable type. This results in an overflow condition where the value wraps around to a small positive number or zero, effectively bypassing subsequent security checks that rely on these values for memory allocation and access control decisions.
From a technical perspective, this issue represents a classic CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability. The root cause lies in the failure of the developer to account for potential edge cases where input data might exceed predefined thresholds before being used in arithmetic expressions that determine buffer sizes or array indices. For instance, if an application requests a memory allocation based on a parameter value that is close to the maximum limit of a 32-bit integer, adding even a small offset can cause the result to wrap around to a minimal positive number. The driver then proceeds to allocate a significantly smaller buffer than intended and subsequently writes data into it based on the original, larger logical size. This discrepancy creates a heap-based or stack-based buffer overflow scenario within the kernel space, allowing for arbitrary memory write operations that are not subject to standard user-space protections like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) in their full protective capacity due to the privileged nature of the execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it resides within a kernel-mode driver responsible for hardware interaction with the NPU. Successful exploitation allows an unprivileged local attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively achieving complete system compromise. Beyond privilege escalation, the memory corruption can lead to system instability, resulting in denial-of-service conditions through kernel panics or blue screens. Furthermore, because NPUs are often involved in security-sensitive tasks such as biometric authentication and secure enclave operations, compromising this driver could potentially undermine hardware-backed security features if the attacker gains access to sensitive cryptographic keys or personal data processed by the accelerator. The vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, specifically through exploitation of software vulnerabilities in system-level components, and may also facilitate lateral movement within a compromised network if the device serves as an entry point to broader infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing rigorous input validation at the driver interface boundary, ensuring that all integer parameters are checked against maximum allowable values before being used in calculations or memory allocation functions. Developers should utilize safe arithmetic libraries or compiler flags that detect overflow conditions during compilation to prevent such errors from reaching production code. Additionally, enabling kernel hardening features such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Control Flow Integrity (CFI) can mitigate the exploitability of this vulnerability by making it more difficult for attackers to predict memory layouts or hijack control flow after triggering the overflow. Regular security audits focusing on driver code and adherence to secure coding standards like CERT C are essential to prevent similar issues in future updates, ensuring that hardware acceleration components do not become vectors for system-wide compromise.