CVE-2026-33999
Description
A flaw was found in the X.Org X server. This integer underflow vulnerability, specifically in the XKB compatibility map handling, allows an attacker with local or remote X11 server access to trigger a buffer read overrun. This can lead to memory-safety violations and potentially a denial of service (DoS) or other severe impacts.
Statement
An Important integer underflow vulnerability exists in the X.Org X server's XKB compatibility map handling. This flaw allows an attacker with local or remote X11 server access to trigger a buffer read overrun, leading to memory-safety violations and potential denial of service. Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems utilizing the X.Org X server in graphical environments are affected.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, restrict access to the X11 server. For remote access, disable X11 forwarding in SSH configurations if not required. Edit `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` and set `X11Forwarding no`. After modifying the configuration, restart the `sshd` service using `systemctl restart sshd`. Disabling X11 forwarding may impact remote graphical applications.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.8 | N/A | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Instability
This weakness will generally lead to undefined behavior and therefore crashes. In the case of overflows involving loop index variables, the likelihood of infinite loops is also high.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Memory
If the value in question is important to data (as opposed to flow), simple data corruption has occurred. Also, if the wrap around results in other conditions such as buffer overflows, further memory corruption may occur.
Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism
This weakness can sometimes trigger buffer overflows which can be used to execute arbitrary code. This is usually outside the scope of a program's implicit security policy.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Jan-Niklas Sohn (TrendAI Zero Day Initiative) for reporting this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
