CVE-2026-24680 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting FreeRDP, a widely used implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol. The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the sdl_Pointer_New function, which improperly frees memory on failure, leading to a use-after-free (UAF) condition. This issue has been addressed in version 3.22.0 of FreeRDP.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.7, categorizing it as high severity. The potential impact includes a denial of service due to the corrupted memory allocation, which can allow an attacker to exploit the system remotely. As this vulnerability is network-exploitable with low complexity and no special privileges required, it poses significant risk to organizations.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Upgrading to FreeRDP version 3.22.0 or later will mitigate this vulnerability effectively.
Currently, there are no known exploits for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, given the severity and exploitability characteristics, security teams must remain vigilant.
In summary, CVE-2026-24680 presents a critical risk that necessitates immediate attention to ensure the security and integrity of systems utilizing FreeRDP.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question allows for a use-after-free condition in FreeRDP versions prior to 3.22.0. The affected component is the sdl_Pointer_New function, which incorrectly frees memory when a failure occurs, leading to potential memory corruption. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 8.7, indicating high severity, with a primary impact on availability.
The vulnerability was published on February 9, 2026. The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification for this issue is CWE-416, which pertains to use-after-free vulnerabilities.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the improper handling of memory allocation within the sdl_Pointer_New function. When the function fails, it frees the allocated memory, but subsequent calls to pointer_free result in an attempt to free the already released memory, leading to a use-after-free condition.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring physical access to the affected system. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges or user interaction are necessary.
The availability impact is high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to a denial of service. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are classified as none, meaning that data leakage or unauthorized data modification is not a risk associated with this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions due to the exploitation of this vulnerability. Given the widespread use of FreeRDP in various environments, the blast radius could be significant, affecting numerous users and systems reliant on remote desktop functionality.
Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability based on their deployment of FreeRDP. The urgency for remediation should be classified as high due to the potential for remote exploitation and the significant availability impact.
The CVSS and EPSS scores indicate that this vulnerability has a high likelihood of causing significant impact if exploited. As such, immediate action is necessary to prevent potential disruptions.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of FreeRDP prior to 3.22.0 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations using these versions should upgrade to 3.22.0 or later to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should patch their FreeRDP installations by upgrading to version 3.22.0, which contains the necessary fixes. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to vulnerable systems.
For further assessment and testing, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing services to validate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any indicators of unusual memory access patterns or failures related to FreeRDP. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in remote desktop sessions may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular updates for software components, especially those exposed to network access. Organizations should maintain an active vulnerability management program to identify and mitigate risks promptly.
Additionally, organizations should consider employing strategies such as penetration testing to assess their security against potential threats posed by vulnerabilities of this nature.
In conclusion, the FreeRDP vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive security measures in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Engaging in web application security testing can further help organizations stay ahead of potential exploits.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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