ladybird: Use After Free
CVE-2026-119332 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in ladybird from LadybirdBrowser, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected ladybird versions: < 209579c96473c75bd5eba9701fcadb841a045964. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.24% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of ladybird you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| LadybirdBrowser | ladybird | < 209579c96473c75bd5eba9701fcadb841a045964 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Ladybird is a truly independent web browser. Prior to 209579c96473c75bd5eba9701fcadb841a045964, FinalizationRegistry::cleanup() in Libraries/LibJS/Runtime/FinalizationRegistry.cpp removed a dead record from m_records, retained an iterator to the next FinalizationRecord, and then invoked attacker-controlled JavaScript through the cleanup callback. If that callback called unregister() for the next record, remove_by_token() freed the node referenced by the retained iterator, and the next cleanup iteration read its target and held_value fields after free. This reliably crashes instrumented WebContent builds and creates a memory-corruption primitive in production builds. This vulnerability is fixed by commit 209579c96473c75bd5eba9701fcadb841a045964.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in ladybird
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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