PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-49746 Imagination Technologies CVE debrief
The CVE-2026-49746 vulnerability allows software running as a non-privileged user to make improper GPU system calls, potentially leading to out-of-bounds (OOB) read kernel memory access and GPU use-after-free (UAF) of arbitrary pages due to incorrect validation of array indices in GPU drivers. Organizations using systems with affected GPU drivers should prioritize patching to prevent potential exploitation. This includes operators managing GPU-based systems, platform administrators, vulnerability management teams, and security teams responsible for monitoring and defending against potential attacks. Reviewing system configurations, updating GPU drivers, and monitoring system logs for suspicious activity are crucial steps in mitigating this vulnerability. Additionally, defenders should assess their exposure, review compensating controls, and plan for vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed. Tracking exceptions, retesting remediated assets, and closing the item only after evidence is documented are also essential steps in addressing this vulnerability effectively across the organization. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 7.1, indicating a significant risk to affected systems. Therefore, it is critical for organizations to take proactive measures to address this vulnerability and minimize potential impact.
- Vendor
- Imagination Technologies
- Product
- PowerVR GPU driver
- CVSS
- HIGH 7.1
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-08-07
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-09-03
- Advisory published
- 2026-08-07
- Advisory updated
- 2026-09-03
Who should care
Organizations using systems with the affected GPU drivers should prioritize patching to prevent potential exploitation. This includes operators managing GPU-based systems, platform administrators, vulnerability management teams, and security teams responsible for monitoring and defending against potential attacks. Reviewing system configurations, updating GPU drivers, and monitoring system logs for suspicious activity are crucial steps in mitigating this vulnerability. Additionally, defenders should assess their exposure, review compensating controls, and plan for vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed. Tracking exceptions, retesting remediated assets, and closing the item only after evidence is documented are also essential steps in addressing this vulnerability effectively across the organization. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 7.1, indicating a significant risk to affected systems. Therefore, it is critical for organizations to take proactive measures to address this vulnerability and minimize potential impact. This involves not only applying patches but also ensuring that security measures such as monitoring and compensating controls are in place to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. By prioritizing patching and taking a comprehensive approach to vulnerability management, organizations can reduce their risk exposure and protect their systems from potential attacks. The CVE record was published on 2026-08-07T03:16:20.057Z and has not been modified since then, emphasizing the need for immediate attention to this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider reviewing the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance, and plan for vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed. Furthermore, defenders should check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review and track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented. By taking these steps, organizations can effectively address this vulnerability and 7
Technical summary
The vulnerability CVE-2026-49746 allows software running as a non-privileged user to make improper GPU system calls, potentially leading to out-of-bounds (OOB) read kernel memory access and GPU use-after-free (UAF) of arbitrary pages. This is caused by incorrect validation of array indices in GPU drivers. The affected products and components are not explicitly listed in the CVE record. However, based on the description, it appears that systems using the affected GPU drivers are impacted.
Defensive priority
This vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 7.1 and may impact systems using the affected GPU drivers. Users should prioritize patching.
Recommended defensive actions
- Review and apply patches from the vendor
- Inventory systems using the affected GPU drivers
- Monitor system logs for suspicious GPU activity
- Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
- Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance
- Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed
- Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
Evidence notes
The CVE description indicates that software installed and run as a non-privileged user may conduct improper GPU system calls, leading to OOB read kernel memory access and potentially GPU UAF of arbitrary pages. The issue is caused by incorrect validation of array index. Evidence is limited to CVE and NVD details. Defenders should verify system configurations, review GPU driver versions, and monitor for suspicious GPU activity.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-49746 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-49746
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2026-49746 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-49746
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.imaginationtech.com/gpu-driver-vulnerabilities/
367425dc-4d06-4041-9650-c2dc6aaa27ce
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.