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Full vulnerability report · 2026
CVE-2026-91957High confidence

FreeRDP before 3.31.0 Use-After-Free via smartcard worker

FreeRDP · FreeRDP

Official source article: GitHub GHSA-J5MQ-3349-GWMM ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.

2.3LowCVSS 4.0
Recommended action
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix

Low technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 33 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.

Fix availability varies by product
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityLowOperational priority:Medium, raised one band.upgradedsince 17 Sep 2026

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • EPSS is 0.36% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs FreeRDP FreeRDP and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: As exposure requiresRemediation target: Within 365 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Cross-source reconciliation

Remediation availability differs by product scope

Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 33 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

6 package states
Package result overrides the generic status

BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.

Repository candidate not checked

A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.

Distribution releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Debian trixietrixie · sourcefreerdp3Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open.Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcefreerdp2Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open.Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcefreerdp3Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.3.31.0+dfsg-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcefreerdp3Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.3.31.0+dfsg-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · esm-appsfreerdp2Under evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing.Not published in this feedCanonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 4 Oct 2026
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · standard archivefreerdp3Vendor fix publishedCanonical reports that a fixed source package version has been published. Repository candidate availability is not checked by BlackTree.3.31.0+dfsg-0ubuntu0.24.04.1Canonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 4 Oct 2026
Direct vendor intelligence

Authoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories

Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.

1 current
CVE-2026-91957 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product SecurityFreeRDP: FreeRDP: Use-after-free vulnerability in smartcard RDPDR device handler leading to denial of service or potential code execution
31 known affected

The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.

  • freerdp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • freerdp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • freerdp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • freerdp-server as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • freerdp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • libwinpr as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • libwinpr-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • freerdp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • freerdp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • freerdp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • freerdp-plugins as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • freerdp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Summary
A flaw was found in FreeRDP, a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This use-after-free vulnerability exists in the smartcard RDPDR device handler. A remote attacker could exploit this by triggering a worker thread creation failure after device registration during channel setup. This leads to the deallocation of a device pointer while the device manager (devman) still retains a reference, which can result in a denial of service (crash) or potentially lead to arbitrary code execution.
Remediation
To reduce the attack surface, disable smartcard redirection within FreeRDP client configurations if this functionality is not required. This action prevents the vulnerable smartcard RDPDR device handler from being utilized. Refer to FreeRDP documentation for specific instructions on disabling smartcard redirection.
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2026-78633

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

FreeRDP before 3.31.0 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the smartcard RDPDR device handler when worker thread creation fails after device registration. Attackers can trigger thread creation failure during channel setup to cause device pointer deallocation while devman retains a reference, leading to crash or code execution.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
2.3 · CVSS 4.0
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch only the product branches with a verified fix

Low technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 33 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.

Fix availability varies by product
01

What, why and how

FreeRDP before 3.31.0 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the smartcard RDPDR device handler when worker thread creation fails after device registration. Attackers can trigger thread creation failure during channel setup to cause device pointer deallocation while devman retains a reference, leading to crash or code execution.

What

FreeRDP before 3.31.0 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the smartcard RDPDR device handler when worker thread creation fails after device registration. Attackers can trigger thread creation failure during channel setup to cause device pointer deallocation while devman retains a reference, leading to crash or code execution.

Why

The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation when the stated preconditions are met. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.

What

FreeRDP before 3.31.0 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the smartcard RDPDR device handler when worker thread creation fails after device registration. Attackers can trigger thread creation failure during channel setup to cause device pointer deallocation while devman retains a reference, leading to crash or code execution.

Why

The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation when the stated preconditions are met. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Use After Free → disrupt the affected service
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Passive interaction required
Attack complexity
High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
Security boundary
Not a CVSS 4.0 base metric
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-416 ↗

CWE-416: Use After Free. The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 4.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.ATPresentAttack requirements: A particular deployment or execution condition must be present.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIPassiveUser interaction: A user must unknowingly interact with the vulnerable system.VCNoneVulnerable-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VINoneVulnerable-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VALowVulnerable-system availability: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.SCNoneSubsequent-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SINoneSubsequent-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SANoneSubsequent-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkUnauthenticatedDenial of serviceCWE-416Public exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-78633Official EUVD mapping

FreeRDP before 3.31.0 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the smartcard RDPDR device handler when worker thread creation fails after device registration. Attackers can trigger thread creation failure during channel setup to cause device pointer deallocation while devman retains a reference, leading to crash or code execution.

Official EUVD record ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2026-3057FreeRDP: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen nicht spezifizierten Angriff

Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in FreeRDP ausnutzen, um einen nicht näher spezifizierten Angriff durchzuführen.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2026-035305FreeRDPにおける解放済みメモリの使用に関する脆弱性

FreeRDP 3.31.0より前のバージョンには、デバイス登録後にワーカースレッドの作成が失敗した際にスマートカードのRDPDRデバイスハンドラで使用後解放（use-after-free）の脆弱性が存在します。攻撃者はチャネル設定中にスレッド作成の失敗を誘発し、devmanが参照を保持している間にデバスポインタの解放を引き起こすことで、クラッシュやコード実行を発生させる可能性があります。

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Fix availability varies by product
Affected
Fixed
FreeRDP: 3.31.0
Action
Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
Workaround
To reduce the attack surface, disable smartcard redirection within FreeRDP client configurations if this functionality is not required. This action prevents the vulnerable smartcard RDPDR device handler from being utilized. Refer to FreeRDP documentation for specific instructions on disabling smartcard redirection.
Official vendor articles1 stored document

Linked articles are downloaded and versioned as source evidence. A CVE mention or approved update relationship does not, by itself, verify a fix for every product branch.

04

Evidence and provenance

Published 15 Sept 2026 · Last source change 17 Sept 2026, 14:56 UTC · CWE-416 · Use After Free

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-16
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-78633
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: added vendor advisory: github.com/GHSA-j5mq-3349-gwmm.
    Before
    remediation: github.com/GHSA-j5mq-3349-gwmm
    After
    remediation: github.com/GHSA-j5mq-3349-gwmm · vendor advisory: github.com/GHSA-j5mq-3349-gwmm
    disclosure@vulncheck.com ↗
  2. Public exploit evidencePublic exploit evidence changed from No public exploit to Public exploit reference.
    Before
    No public exploit
    After
    Public exploit reference
    disclosure@vulncheck.com ↗
  3. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2026-78633 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2026-78633"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  4. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-78633↗Vendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security↗Public exploit reference · GitHub GHSA-J5MQ-3349-GWMM↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2026-91957 · cve.blacktree.nl