ZDI-26-443: Linux Kernel vmwgfx Integer Overflow Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 8.8.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability identified as ZDI-26-443 affects the Linux Kernel's vmwgfx driver. It arises from insufficient validation of user-supplied data during surface allocations, causing an integer overflow that can be exploited to allocate a buffer incorrectly. This enables a local attacker, who already has the ability to execute low-privileged code, to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating high severity. Linux has released a patch to correct this issue.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to escalate privileges to kernel level, potentially leading to full system compromise including arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. This can result in complete control over the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Linux has issued an official update to fix this vulnerability. Users and administrators should apply the vendor-provided patch as soon as possible to remediate the issue. No other mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
ZDI-26-443: Linux Kernel vmwgfx Integer Overflow Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 8.8.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability identified as ZDI-26-443 affects the Linux Kernel's vmwgfx driver. It arises from insufficient validation of user-supplied data during surface allocations, causing an integer overflow that can be exploited to allocate a buffer incorrectly. This enables a local attacker, who already has the ability to execute low-privileged code, to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating high severity. Linux has released a patch to correct this issue.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to escalate privileges to kernel level, potentially leading to full system compromise including arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. This can result in complete control over the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Linux has issued an official update to fix this vulnerability. Users and administrators should apply the vendor-provided patch as soon as possible to remediate the issue. No other mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Article Source
- {"url":"http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-443/","fetched":true,"fetchedAt":"2026-07-16T15:50:29.789Z","wordCount":211}
- Classification
- {"confidence":0.95,"severitySource":"cvss-text","classifier":"rss-v2"}
Threat ID: 6a58fe6468715ace43485b46
Added to database: 07/16/2026, 15:53:08 UTC
Last enriched: 08/07/2026, 06:02:14 UTC
Last updated: 08/30/2026, 12:11:00 UTC
Views: 94
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