# CVE-2025-33221: NVIDIA Display Driver incorrect permission assignment in kernel driver

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-33221-nvidia-display-driver-incorrect-permission-assignment-in-kernel  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-26. Updated: 2026-05-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-33221 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.4 · Published 2026-05-26

NVIDIA has identified a security vulnerability in the kernel drivers for its Windows and Linux display software, which are used to manage graphics hardware performance and output. An attacker with high-level system privileges could exploit this flaw to incorrectly assign permissions to critical system resources. This could lead to data being tampered with or cause the system to crash, resulting in a denial of service for legitimate users.

Technologies: [Nvidia Display Driver](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/display-driver). Vendors: [Nvidia](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/nvidia).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-33221 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-33221 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2025-33221?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.4, published 26 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Nvidia Display Driver Windows and Linux versions prior to May 2026 updates.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-33221?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2025-33221 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-33221?** Check whether you run Nvidia Display Driver at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in the NVIDIA Display Driver kernel driver for both Windows and Linux platforms. The flaw is categorized as an incorrect permission assignment for a critical resource (CWE-20/CWE-281), allowing a local attacker with high privileges (PR:H) to manipulate resource access. Successful exploitation can lead to data integrity issues (tampering) or a system-wide denial of service (DoS). The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to already have a foothold on the system. Users are advised to refer to NVIDIA advisory a_id 5821 for specific patched version numbers.

## Affected products

- NVIDIA Display Driver Windows and Linux versions prior to May 2026 updates

## Timeline

- 2026-05-26: disclosed: Initial public disclosure by NVIDIA
- 2026-05-26: advisory: NVIDIA security bulletin published

## References

- [https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5821](https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5821)
- [https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-33221](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-33221)

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- [NVIDIA Display Driver for Linux use-after-free](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-24187-nvidia-display-driver-for-linux-use-after-free)