Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10: Expired Pointer Dereference
CVE-2026-2436 is a high-severity expired pointer dereference vulnerability in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% 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 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on gitlab.gnome.org 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | 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 |
| 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 |
| GNOME | Libsoup | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux | 6.0; 7.0; 8.0; 9.0; 10.0 | 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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.5 | Medium | CNA (redhat.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
A flaw was found in libsoup's SoupServer. A remote attacker could exploit a use-after-free vulnerability where the `soup_server_disconnect()` function frees connection objects prematurely, even if a TLS handshake is still pending. If the handshake completes after the connection object has been freed, a dangling pointer is accessed, leading to a server crash and a Denial of Service.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Expired Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that contains a location for memory that was previously valid, but is no longer valid.
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: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libsoup/-/issues/501Exploit, Issue Tracking
Third-party and government advisories
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-2436Third Party Advisory
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2442909Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.9 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Expired Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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