CVE-2025-58408 Overview
CVE-2025-58408 is a Use After Free vulnerability affecting GPU driver components that allows software installed and run as a non-privileged user to conduct improper GPU system calls. These malicious system calls can trigger reads of stale data, leading to kernel exceptions and write use-after-free conditions.
The vulnerability stems from improper handling of resource references where stale data can include handles to resources with unbalanced reference counts. This imbalance can lead to the premature destruction of a resource while still in use, creating exploitable memory corruption conditions.
Critical Impact
Non-privileged local users can exploit improper GPU system calls to cause kernel exceptions and trigger use-after-free conditions, potentially enabling privilege escalation or system instability.
Affected Products
- Imagination Technologies GPU Drivers (specific versions not disclosed)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-12-01 - CVE CVE-2025-58408 published to NVD
- 2025-12-01 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-58408
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free) with a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.9 (Medium severity). The attack vector is local, requiring no privileges and no user interaction to exploit.
CVSS Vector:CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
The vulnerability resides in the GPU driver's system call handling mechanism. When processing certain GPU-related system calls, the driver fails to properly validate and manage resource references, leading to conditions where:
- Stale data containing resource handles can be read
- Reference counts for resources can become unbalanced
- Resources may be prematurely destroyed while still referenced elsewhere
EPSS Score: 0.017% probability of exploitation (3.042 percentile as of 2025-12-16)
Root Cause
The root cause lies in improper resource lifecycle management within the GPU driver. When handling GPU system calls, the driver does not adequately track reference counts for resource handles. This allows scenarios where:
- A resource handle becomes stale but remains accessible
- The reference count decrements prematurely
- The underlying resource is freed while other components still hold references to it
This classic use-after-free pattern occurs because the driver trusts potentially invalid data from previous operations without proper validation.
Attack Vector
The attack can be executed by a local, non-privileged user through the following mechanism:
The exploitation involves crafting a sequence of GPU system calls that manipulate the driver's resource management. An attacker would initiate operations that cause the driver to read stale resource handles, then trigger actions that reference the freed memory region. The specific technique involves exploiting the timing between resource allocation, use, and deallocation to access memory after it has been freed but before it is reclaimed.
For detailed technical information, refer to the Imagination Technologies GPU Driver Vulnerabilities advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58408
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual GPU driver crashes or kernel exceptions related to memory access violations
- System logs showing unexpected GPU system call patterns from non-privileged processes
- Kernel panic events associated with GPU driver memory operations
- Anomalous process behavior involving repeated GPU resource allocation/deallocation sequences
Detection Strategies
System Monitoring:
Monitor kernel logs for GPU driver-related exceptions, particularly those involving memory access violations or use-after-free patterns. Pay attention to error messages indicating resource handle corruption or reference count mismatches.
Behavioral Analysis:
Implement monitoring for processes making unusual patterns of GPU system calls, especially from non-privileged user contexts. Look for rapid sequences of resource allocation and deallocation that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Memory Forensics:
Deploy memory analysis tools capable of detecting use-after-free conditions in kernel space. Monitor for signs of memory corruption in GPU driver heap regions.
Monitoring Recommendations
Organizations should implement comprehensive logging for GPU driver operations and establish baselines for normal GPU system call patterns. Enable kernel auditing to track system calls related to GPU operations, and consider deploying endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying kernel-level exploitation attempts.
SentinelOne Singularity Platform provides real-time kernel-level monitoring that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with use-after-free exploitation, including unusual system call sequences and memory access violations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58408
Immediate Actions Required
- Review the Imagination Technologies security advisory for affected driver versions
- Identify all systems running potentially vulnerable GPU drivers
- Implement the principle of least privilege to limit exposure from non-privileged users
- Monitor systems for signs of exploitation attempts
- Apply vendor-provided patches when available
Patch Information
Consult the Imagination Technologies GPU Driver Vulnerabilities page for the latest patch information and affected version details. Organizations should subscribe to vendor security notifications to receive timely updates when patches become available.
Ensure that GPU driver updates are tested in a staging environment before deployment to production systems to verify compatibility and stability.
Workarounds
If immediate patching is not possible, consider the following interim mitigations:
Access Controls:
Restrict access to GPU resources for non-essential user accounts where possible. Implement strict user privilege policies to minimize the attack surface from non-privileged users.
System Hardening:
Enable additional kernel protections such as KASLR (Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization) and SMEP/SMAP to increase the difficulty of exploiting use-after-free conditions.
Monitoring:
Implement enhanced monitoring for GPU driver operations to detect potential exploitation attempts early. Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of identifying kernel-level attacks.
Contact Imagination Technologies support for vendor-specific guidance on temporary mitigations while awaiting a permanent fix.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
