# CVE-2026-111373: FreeRDP NULL pointer dereference in websocket transport

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111373-freerdp-before-3-32-0-contains-a-null-pointer-dereference  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-16. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-111373 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-10-16

FreeRDP is a remote desktop client used to connect to Windows systems over a network. A malicious gateway server can crash FreeRDP clients by sending specially crafted websocket messages, causing denial of service and interrupting user access to remote systems.

Technologies: [FreeRDP Project FreeRDP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/freerdp-project-freerdp). Vendors: [FreeRDP Project](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/freerdp-project).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-111373 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-111373 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-111373?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 16 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** FreeRDP Project FreeRDP before 3.32.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-111373?** Yes: fixed in 3.32.0. Until then: Disable websocket transport if possible by using the command-line option /gateway:transport:http,no-websockets until an upgrade to version 3.32.0 can be performed. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-111373 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-111373?** Check whether you run FreeRDP Project FreeRDP at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in 3.32.0

Disable websocket transport if possible by using the command-line option /gateway:transport:http,no-websockets until an upgrade to version 3.32.0 can be performed.

## Technical details

A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the websocket transport handler when processing websocket pings with zero-length payloads. The websocket_reply_pong function passes a nullptr stream to websocket_reply_close, which then triggers an assertion failure in the underlying packet handling code. An unauthenticated attacker controlling a malicious RDP gateway can exploit this with a network request to crash connected clients.

## Affected products

- FreeRDP Project FreeRDP before 3.32.0

## Timeline

- 2026-10-01: disclosed
- 2026-10-15: advisory
- 2026-10-16: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-83g2-gf92-5c4g](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-83g2-gf92-5c4g)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/freerdp-before-3.32.0-null-dereference-via-zero-length-websocket-ping](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/freerdp-before-3.32.0-null-dereference-via-zero-length-websocket-ping)

## Related threats

- [FreeRDP heap buffer overflow in transport_default_read_pdu](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121962-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-a-heap-buffer-overflow-in)
- [FreeRDP use-after-free in DRDYNVC tracker race condition](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121961-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-a-use-after-free-vulnerability-in)
- [FreeRDP infinite loop in WebSocket frame handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121959-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-an-infinite-loop-vulnerability-in)
- [FreeRDP server denial of service in RDP peer input parsing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121951-freerdp-3-0-0-before-3-32-2-server-side-rdp-peer-input-parsing)
- [FreeRDP NULL pointer dereference in RDPGFX ResetGraphics](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121402-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-a-null-pointer-dereference)