FreeRDP: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-23534 is a critical-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in FreeRDP, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected FreeRDP versions: < 3.21.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.53% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of FreeRDP 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.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeRDP | FreeRDP | < 3.21.0 | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0 Extended Update Support | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Extended Update Support | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.6 Extended Update Support | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Not specified in the record | 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
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- 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:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.7 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.6 | High | CNA |
Official description
FreeRDP is a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol. Prior to version 3.21.0, a client-side heap buffer overflow occurs in the ClearCodec bands decode path when crafted band coordinates allow writes past the end of the destination surface buffer. A malicious server can trigger a client‑side heap buffer overflow, causing a crash (DoS) and potential heap corruption with code‑execution risk depending on allocator behavior and surrounding heap layout. Version 3.21.0 contains a patch for the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/releases/tag/3.21.0Release Notes
Other references
- github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/38514dfa5813aa945a86cfbcec279033f8394468/libfreerdp/codec/clear.c#L878-L879Product
- github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/38514dfa5813aa945a86cfbcec279033f8394468/libfreerdp/codec/clear.c#L883-L884Product
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2048
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2081
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2222
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2736
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2952
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3037
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-23534
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2430888
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-23534.json
Other vulnerabilities in FreeRDP
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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