---
id: "CVE-2026-121955"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-121955"]
title: "FreeRDP: use-after-free lets a malicious server corrupt client memory"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.7
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["freerdp", "linux", "package", "rdp", "remmina", "smartcard"]
not_affected_if: ["no-smartcard-emulation", "trusted-servers-only"]
published_at: "2026-11-04T16:17:48+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-04T16:28:11+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-04T16:28:42+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-121955", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-04T16:28:11+00:00"}]
---

# FreeRDP: use-after-free lets a malicious server corrupt client memory

FreeRDP's smartcard emulation frees a context before its worker thread is stopped, so memory is used after it is released. A malicious RDP server can send a crafted sequence of smartcard requests to corrupt heap memory or crash the client.

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

## How to check

- Check the installed FreeRDP version, for example with `xfreerdp --version`, and compare it to the fixed release.
- Check whether smartcard redirection or emulation is enabled in the client configuration; the sources do not name the exact setting.

## Fix

- FreeRDP: move to `3.32.2` or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-04T16:28:11+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-121955

## Documents

- [advisory] Vendor advisory: github.com https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-983v-jp34-f3fm
- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/freerdp-before-3.32.2-use-after-free-in-smartcard-emulation-releasecontext

## From the sources

FreeRDP before 3.32.2 contains a use-after-free vulnerability in Emulate_SCardReleaseContext that frees the emulated SCardContext before its worker thread is cancelled and joined. A malicious server can send ESTABLISHCONTEXT, a long-timeout GETSTATUSCHANGE, then RELEASECONTEXT smartcard IRPs to corrupt heap memory or crash clients using smartcard emulation.

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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_