FreeBSD: Operator Precedence Logic Error
CVE-2026-7270 is a high-severity operator precedence logic error vulnerability in FreeBSD, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions p7, p3, p12 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 0.18% 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 p7 or p3 or p12 or p13, 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 | 15.0-RELEASE up to, but not including, p7; 14.4-RELEASE up to, but not including, p3; 14.3-RELEASE up to, but not including, p12; 13.5-RELEASE up to, but not including, p13 | p7, p3, p12, p13 |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
An operator precedence bug in the kernel results in a scenario where a buffer overflow causes attacker-controlled data to overwrite adjacent execve(2) argument buffers. The bug may be exploitable by an unprivileged user to obtain superuser privileges.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Operator Precedence Logic Error
The product uses an expression in which operator precedence causes incorrect logic to be used.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Regularly wrap sub-expressions in parentheses, especially in security-critical code.
More Operator Precedence Logic Error vulnerabilities (CWE-783)
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 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 Operator Precedence Logic Error vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
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