Executive brief
Imagination's GPU driver (DDK) contains a kernel-level memory corruption vulnerability in its graphics processing interface. A non-privileged user can craft malicious GPU commands with specific flag combinations to trigger a double-free condition in the kernel heap, potentially allowing code execution or system crashes. This affects any system running the vulnerable GPU driver, including desktops, servers, and embedded devices with Imagination GPUs.
Technical details
The vulnerability is a double-free condition in Imagination GPU DDK's memory allocation interface triggered by improper IOCTL calls. A non-privileged user can fabricate specific flag combinations on the GPU allocation interface that cause the kernel memory manager to incorrectly free the same memory block twice, resulting in kernel heap corruption. This is achieved through direct GPU system calls and does not require elevated privileges, special authentication, or user interaction. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary kernel memory corruption, potentially enabling privilege escalation or denial of service. The DDK kernel module has been updated to validate allocation flags and prevent the double-free scenario.
Affected products
- Imagination Technologies GPU DDK up to and including 25.2 RTM
Timeline
- 2026-09-04: disclosed
- 2026-09-04: advisory: CVE-2026-45200