CVE-2026-50259
Description
A stack-based buffer overflow flaw was found in the X.Org X server and Xwayland. _XkbSetMapChecks() declares a fixed-size stack buffer mapWidths[256] indexed by key type index. The helper function CheckKeyTypes() writes to this buffer at a client-controlled offset, allowing a stack buffer overflow. 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, _XkbSetMapChecks() uses a fixed 256-element stack buffer mapWidths[] indexed by a client-controlled key type index. CheckKeyTypes() writes beyond the buffer boundary, causing a stack buffer overflow. Any local user who can connect to the X server display can attempt exploitation. 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)
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the program into an infinite loop.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of a program's implicit security policy.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control,Other
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism; Other
When the consequence is arbitrary code execution, this can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Acknowledgements
Upstream acknowledges Anonymous (Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative) as the original reporter.
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