FreeBSD: Improper Update of Reference Count
CVE-2026-49419 is a high-severity improper update of reference count vulnerability in FreeBSD, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions p1, p11 as the first without the flaw, so updating FreeBSD to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.47% 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
- Update FreeBSD to p1 or p11, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on security.freebsd.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD | FreeBSD | 15.1-RELEASE up to, but not including, p1; 15.0-RELEASE up to, but not including, p11 | p1, p11 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
When the JAIL_AT_DESC flag is specified, kern_jail_set() and kern_jail_get() released the reference to the caller's current prison before looking up the jail descriptor. If the descriptor lookup failed, error-handling paths released the same reference a second time. An unprivileged local user can trigger a prison reference count underflow, which may cause the prison structure to be freed while still in use. When this is done on the jail host, the bug will generally result in an immediate panic. However, if the user is running in a jail, then it may be possible to exploit the bug to elevate privileges.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Update of Reference Count
The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count.
More Improper Update of Reference Count vulnerabilities (CWE-911)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in FreeBSD
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
Recent Improper Update of Reference Count vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.