CVE-2022-42263

What it actually does

Integer overflow in the kernel-mode handler of the NVIDIA GPU display driver on Linux allows out-of-bounds memory access that can result in denial of service via kernel panic or disclosure of kernel memory contents.

Why it matters to the business

Workloads that rely on NVIDIA GPUs for graphics, compute, or virtualization may experience unexpected crashes or exposure of sensitive kernel data, leading to operational downtime and potential compliance risks in multi-tenant or high-performance environments.

How an attack unfolds

A local attacker with low privileges invokes the vulnerable kernel-mode handler through standard graphics or compute APIs, supplies crafted parameters that trigger the integer overflow, and either crashes the kernel or reads memory beyond intended bounds.

How to fix it

Apply the latest NVIDIA GPU Display Driver updates for all affected product lines including GeForce, Quadro, Tesla, and virtual GPU offerings; where driver updates are unavailable or delayed, restrict untrusted local access and monitor for kernel instability.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm driver versions match or exceed current vendor releases on all systems; re-test the previously vulnerable kernel handler paths with vendor-supplied validation tools or fuzzers; verify absence of the integer overflow condition through code review or updated driver binaries.

Typical attack path

1. Obtain local low-privileged access on a Linux system using an affected NVIDIA driver
2. Load or interact with the GPU driver via legitimate user-space interfaces
3. Submit specially constructed input to the kernel-mode handler that causes integer overflow
4. Observe kernel panic for denial of service or exfiltrate disclosed kernel memory contents

How to detect it

Review system and kernel logs for unexpected NVIDIA driver crashes or panics around graphics or compute API calls; monitor for anomalous memory access patterns or repeated GPU resets that may indicate attempted exploitation.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize patching NVIDIA GPU drivers across all Linux hosts and virtualized environments within standard change windows
• Inventory all affected NVIDIA products and hypervisor integrations to ensure complete coverage
• Reduce local attack surface by limiting GPU access to trusted processes until patches are deployed
• Include NVIDIA driver version checks in regular vulnerability scanning and asset management processes