FreeRDP up to 3.22.x xf_clipboard_format_equal use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in FreeRDP up to 3.22.x. This issue affects the function xf_clipboard_format_equal. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-25997. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in FreeRDP up to 3.22.x. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function xf_clipboard_format_equal. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

FreeRDP is a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol. Prior to version 3.23.0, `xf_clipboard_format_equal` reads freed `lastSentFormats` memory because `xf_clipboard_formats_free` (called from the cliprdr channel thread during auto-reconnect) frees the array while the X11 event thread concurrently iterates it in `xf_clipboard_changed`, triggering a heap use after free. Version 3.23.0 fixes the issue.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-25997 since 02/09/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299996 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-25997), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 3.23.0 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 58409406afe7c2a8a71ed2dc8e22075be4f41c0c is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (299996) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0514). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Fedora Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source FreeRDP

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 9.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 299996
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-25997

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: FreeRDP 3.23.0
Patch: 58409406afe7c2a8a71ed2dc8e22075be4f41c0c

Timelineinfo

02/09/2026 CVE reserved
02/26/2026 +17 days Advisory disclosed
02/26/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/13/2026 +76 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-q5j3-m6jf-3jq4
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-25997 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-25997
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-347857
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0514 - FreeRDP: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/26/2026 01:16
Updated: 05/13/2026 22:29
Changes: 02/26/2026 01:16 (70), 02/26/2026 19:53 (7), 02/28/2026 19:08 (2), 03/01/2026 04:23 (13), 05/13/2026 22:29 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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