CVE-2026-50257
Description
A use-after-free flaw was found in the X.Org X server and Xwayland in miSyncDestroyFence(). A client that sets up multiple fence triggers can trigger a use-after-free function pointer call. An attacker would connect to the X server to set up a fence and await that fence, then a second X connection destroys the fence, causing the use-after-free. This may be used to crash the server, or for privilege escalation if the X server runs as root.
Statement
Red Hat rates this issue as Important impact. In xorg-x11-server and xorg-x11-server-Xwayland, a local X client can trigger a use-after-free function pointer call in miSyncDestroyFence() by setting up a fence trigger on one connection and destroying the fence from a second connection. Any local user who can connect to the X server display can attempt exploitation. This may crash the display server or, where the X server runs with elevated privileges, could contribute to local privilege escalation. Upstream fixed this in xorg-server 21.1.23 and xwayland 24.1.12.
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
Red Hat CVSS v3 Score Explanation
ZDI-suggested score (7.8), not verified by xorg security team.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Memory
The use of previously freed memory may corrupt valid data, if the memory area in question has been allocated and used properly elsewhere.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
If chunk consolidation occurs after the use of previously freed data, the process may crash when invalid data is used as chunk information.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Memory
Read operations on freed memory can sometimes leak sensitive information instead of causing a crash
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
If malicious data is entered before chunk consolidation can take place, it may be possible to take advantage of a write-what-where primitive to execute arbitrary code. If the newly allocated data happens to hold a class, in C++ for example, various function pointers may be scattered within the heap data. If one of these function pointers is overwritten with an address to valid shellcode, execution of arbitrary code can be achieved.
Acknowledgements
Upstream acknowledges Anonymous (Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative) as the original reporter.
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