CVE-2025-23280 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the NVIDIA GeForce display driver for Linux systems. This flaw arises when the driver improperly manages memory, leading to a scenario where freed memory is accessed, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code or manipulate system behavior. The vulnerability affects all driver versions prior to 580.95.05. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and has a high attack complexity, meaning the attacker must have detailed knowledge of the system and the vulnerability to succeed. No user interaction is needed, which increases risk once local access is obtained. The vulnerability can lead to multiple severe impacts including code execution, escalation of privileges, data tampering, denial of service, and information disclosure. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.0, reflecting high severity with attack vector local (AV:L), attack complexity high (AC:H), privileges required low (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability's presence in a widely used driver makes it a significant concern for Linux environments using NVIDIA GeForce GPUs. The vulnerability was reserved early in 2025 and published in October 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of patch links suggests that users should monitor NVIDIA's official channels for updates or security advisories.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those relying on Linux systems with NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, common in sectors such as scientific research, media production, software development, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could allow attackers with local access to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising sensitive data and disrupting operations. The ability to cause denial of service or data tampering could impact system availability and integrity, leading to operational downtime and loss of trust. Organizations with multi-user environments or remote access to Linux systems are particularly vulnerable if local accounts are compromised or insufficiently controlled. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time. The high attack complexity and requirement for local access limit the threat to insiders or attackers who have already breached perimeter defenses, emphasizing the need for strong internal security controls.

1. Immediately update NVIDIA GeForce drivers on all Linux systems to version 580.95.05 or later once available to patch the vulnerability. 2. Restrict local access to Linux systems with NVIDIA GPUs to trusted personnel only, employing strict access control policies and monitoring. 3. Implement robust user account management, including least privilege principles and regular review of local accounts to minimize potential attacker footholds. 4. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Harden Linux systems by disabling unnecessary services and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of initial local access. 6. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential exploitation impacts. 7. Monitor NVIDIA security advisories and Linux distribution security updates to promptly apply patches and mitigations. 8. Consider network segmentation to isolate critical systems with NVIDIA GPUs from less secure network zones, limiting lateral movement opportunities.