CVE-2026-44950
Description
A flaw was found in the libXfont2 font-server client. This heap buffer overflow vulnerability allows a malicious font server to send specially crafted glyph data. The fs_read_glyphs() function fails to properly validate the total size of the incoming data, leading to an overwrite of memory beyond the intended buffer. If the X server runs as a privileged user, this could result in privilege escalation, allowing an attacker to gain higher access. If the X server runs as an unprivileged user, it could lead to a denial of service, causing the system to crash.
Statement
This is an Important flaw. A heap buffer overflow in the libXfont2 font server client can be triggered by a malicious font server. If the X server runs as root, this could lead to privilege escalation; otherwise, it results in a denial of service. Red Hat Enterprise Linux typically runs the X server as an unprivileged user, mitigating the privilege escalation risk but still allowing for denial of service.
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 | 7.5 | N/A | 9 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Changed |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of the product's implicit security policy. This can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the product into an infinite loop.
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