CVE-2026-57157 in FreeRDP
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
FreeRDP is a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol. Prior to 3.28.0, FreeRDP server implementations with the MS-RDPECAM camera device enumerator channel enabled scan attacker-supplied DeviceName and VirtualChannelName fields for a NUL terminator in channels/rdpecam/server/camera_device_enumerator_main.c and then dereference once past the scan bound, allowing a malicious RDP client to trigger a 1- to 2-byte out-of-bounds heap read. This issue is fixed in version 3.28.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability exists within FreeRDP server implementations that utilize the MS-RDPECAM camera device enumerator channel functionality, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.28.0. This flaw manifests in the handling of attacker-controlled input data through the DeviceName and VirtualChannelName fields during channel initialization processes. The core issue stems from insufficient bounds checking in the camera device enumerator module located at channels/rdpecam/server/camera_device_enumerator_main.c where the implementation performs a NUL terminator search without proper boundary validation before proceeding with memory dereferencing operations.
The technical exploitation occurs when a malicious RDP client establishes a connection and provides crafted DeviceName and VirtualChannelName values that bypass normal input sanitization. During the processing phase, the code scans for NUL terminators within these attacker-supplied strings but fails to validate that the scan operation remains within allocated memory bounds. This oversight results in a heap-based out-of-bounds read condition where the application accesses memory locations one to two bytes beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information or enabling further exploitation vectors.
This vulnerability impacts remote desktop server implementations that enable camera device enumeration capabilities, creating potential security risks for organizations relying on FreeRDP as their RDP server solution. The out-of-bounds heap read could expose memory contents including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive data stored in adjacent memory locations. From an operational perspective, this issue represents a medium to high severity concern that could be leveraged by remote attackers to gather intelligence about the target system or potentially facilitate more sophisticated attacks.
The fix implemented in version 3.28.0 addresses this vulnerability through improved input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the camera device enumerator channel processing logic. The remediation ensures that all attacker-supplied DeviceName and VirtualChannelName fields undergo proper boundary validation before any memory dereferencing operations occur, preventing access beyond allocated buffer limits. This update aligns with security best practices for memory safety and follows established patterns for preventing heap-based buffer overread conditions.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and potentially CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write depending on exploitation context, while the attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: Remote Desktop Protocol. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where insufficient input validation leads to heap corruption and potential information disclosure, highlighting the critical importance of proper bounds checking in network protocol implementations that handle untrusted user input.
Organizations should prioritize upgrading their FreeRDP server installations to version 3.28.0 or later to mitigate this exposure, while implementing monitoring for anomalous RDP connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should remain in place as defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities within the broader RDP ecosystem. The fix demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation in protocol implementations and serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign functionality can introduce security risks when proper memory safety practices are not applied throughout the codebase.
This vulnerability type represents a common class of issues in network protocol implementations where untrusted input processing leads to memory corruption, emphasizing the need for rigorous code review processes and automated testing focused on memory safety. The remediation approach taken by the FreeRDP development team exemplifies proper security patching methodology that addresses root causes rather than symptoms, ensuring that similar issues do not persist in future releases through enhanced defensive coding practices and improved testing coverage for boundary conditions in input handling routines.