This NVIDIA GeForce Driver Update Is a Must Have as It Patches High Severity Security Flaws
NVIDIA is flagging a new GPU display driver security bulletin that targets multiple high severity vulnerabilities across its driver stack, and if you are running GeForce in a daily driver gaming PC or a creator workstation, this is the kind of update that belongs in your immediate patch queue rather than your someday list.
In its January 2026 bulletin, NVIDIA confirms it has released software security updates for NVIDIA GPU Display Driver, with the affected surface spanning GeForce, NVIDIA RTX, Quadro, NVS, and Tesla on Windows, plus corresponding driver branches on Linux. The bulletin describes impacts that can include code execution, escalation of privileges, data tampering, denial of service, and information disclosure depending on the specific issue and platform.
On Windows, NVIDIA lists 2 high severity CVEs for the GPU display driver, CVE 2025 33217 and CVE 2025 33218, and notes they can be triggered locally under certain conditions, with potential outcomes including code execution and privilege escalation. On Linux and in NVIDIA vGPU software, the bulletin lists additional high severity CVEs, CVE 2025 33219 and CVE 2025 33220. NVIDIA also calls out a separate NVIDIA HD Audio Driver issue on Windows, CVE 2025 33237, with a denial of service impact.
For players, the key message is that security patches rarely come with flashy frame rate gains, but they directly reduce the risk surface of a system that spends most of its time running highly privileged drivers. If you stream, mod, run community tools, or just keep a big library of launchers and overlays installed, keeping your graphics driver current is basic risk hygiene.
Per NVIDIA’s bulletin guidance for Windows driver branches, the updated versions to target are:
| Product Lineup | Operating System | Driver Branch | Update Required If Below | Safe Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce / RTX / Quadro / NVS / Tesla | Windows | R590 | 591.59 | 591.59 |
| GeForce / RTX / Quadro / NVS / Tesla | Windows | R580 | 582.16 | 582.16 |
| GeForce / RTX / Quadro / NVS / Tesla | Windows | R570 | 573.96 | 573.96 |
| GeForce / RTX / Quadro / NVS / Tesla | Windows | R535 | 539.64 | 539.64 |
NVIDIA also notes that some PC vendors may provide alternate packaged driver versions that already include the security updates, which is relevant for prebuilt systems and laptops that stay on OEM tuned drivers.
Separately, NVIDIA has also published a security update driver for older GeForce GPUs that are no longer receiving mainstream Game Ready driver support, which you may need to install manually if you are still running those legacy architectures.
Are you the type to update GPU drivers immediately for stability and security, or do you wait until a new game forces your hand?
