CVE-2025-23253 is a vulnerability identified in the NVIDIA NvContainer service for Windows, specifically related to the NVIDIA App versions up to and including 11.0.2.337 (prod2 hotfix). The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the use of hard-coded, security-relevant constants within the application, classified under CWE-547. More precisely, the vulnerability involves the usage of OpenSSL where the application relies on hard-coded paths to load DLLs. An attacker with access to the affected system could exploit this by placing a malicious DLL in the hard-coded path, which the NvContainer service would then load. This DLL hijacking technique can lead to multiple severe consequences, including arbitrary code execution, denial of service (DoS), escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have some level of access to the file system to place the malicious DLL. The scope of affected systems is broad, as all versions of the NVIDIA App up to the specified version are vulnerable, and NVIDIA graphics drivers and related software are widely deployed across Windows systems globally. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk if exploited, especially in environments where NVIDIA software is used in critical or sensitive operations. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, given the potential for code execution and data manipulation. The lack of an official patch at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial. NVIDIA products are widely used across various sectors including technology, manufacturing, research, and finance. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising sensitive data or disrupting critical operations. This is particularly concerning for industries reliant on high-performance computing and graphical processing units (GPUs), such as automotive design, scientific research, and financial modeling. The ability to escalate privileges and tamper with data could lead to intellectual property theft, operational downtime, or manipulation of critical datasets. Additionally, denial of service conditions could disrupt business continuity. Given the widespread deployment of NVIDIA software in enterprise environments, a successful attack could propagate laterally, affecting multiple systems and increasing the overall risk exposure. The vulnerability also poses a risk to organizations that manage sensitive personal data, as information disclosure could lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR and other data protection laws.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting write permissions to directories where NVIDIA NvContainer service loads DLLs to prevent unauthorized DLL placement. 2. Employ application whitelisting and code integrity policies (e.g., Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker) to ensure only trusted DLLs are loaded by the NVIDIA service. 3. Monitor file system changes in the relevant directories for suspicious activity using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 4. Isolate systems running vulnerable NVIDIA software from untrusted networks to reduce the risk of remote exploitation. 5. Regularly audit and update NVIDIA software to the latest versions once patches become available. 6. Implement strict least privilege principles for users and services to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Conduct internal threat hunting focused on signs of DLL hijacking or unusual process behavior related to the NvContainer service. 8. Coordinate with NVIDIA support channels for timely updates and advisories. These measures go beyond generic patching advice by focusing on proactive detection, access control, and containment strategies tailored to the specifics of the DLL hijacking vector.