---
id: "CVE-2026-114046"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-114046"]
title: "FreeRDP: null reader name in smartcard emulation crashes RDP client"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.1
epss: 0.00254
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["freerdp", "linux", "package", "rdp-clients", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["fixed-version", "smartcard-redirection-disabled"]
published_at: "2026-10-21T01:17:27+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:27+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T03:32:06+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-114046", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:27+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-114046", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-24T13:15:55+00:00"}]
---

# FreeRDP: null reader name in smartcard emulation crashes RDP client

FreeRDP 3.0.0 before 3.32.0 dereferences a null per-reader name in the smartcard emulation backend when handling SCardGetStatusChange requests. A malicious RDP server can send a crafted reader-state entry and crash the client process.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Run `xfreerdp /version` or check the installed FreeRDP package version and see whether it is below `3.32.0`
- Check whether smartcard redirection (`/smartcard`) is enabled in the client configuration, since the flaw is in the smartcard emulation path

## Fix

- Upgrade FreeRDP to `3.32.0` or later
- Until upgraded, disable smartcard redirection in RDP client sessions where it is not needed

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:27+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-114046
- 2026-10-24T13:15:55+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-114046

## From the sources

FreeRDP 3.0.0 before 3.32.0 contains a null-pointer dereference in the smartcard emulation backend that accepts a null per-reader name in SCardGetStatusChange requests. A malicious RDP server can send a crafted reader-state entry with a null szReader, causing strcmp or _wcscmp to crash the client process.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_