# CVE-2026-23883: FreeRDP use after free in xf_Pointer_New

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-23883-freerdp-use-after-free-in-xf-pointer-new  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-01-19. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-23883 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-01-19

FreeRDP is an open-source tool used to connect to remote computers via the Remote Desktop Protocol. A vulnerability in how the software handles mouse cursor data allows a malicious server to crash a user's connection or potentially take control of their computer. This could lead to service disruptions or the theft of sensitive information if a user connects to an untrusted server.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-23883 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-23883 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-23883?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 19 January 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** FreeRDP < 3.21.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-23883?** A patch was published on 2026-01-19. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-23883 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-23883?** Check whether you run 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.

## Technical details

A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability exists in FreeRDP's X11 client due to a double-free condition in the `xf_Pointer_New` function. When `freerdp_image_copy_from_pointer_data` fails, the `cursorPixels` buffer is freed; however, the subsequent error handling path in `update_pointer_color` calls `pointer_free`, which invokes `xf_Pointer_Free` and attempts to free the same buffer again. A malicious RDP server can exploit this by sending specially crafted pointer updates to a client. This can result in a denial-of-service (crash) or potentially remote code execution depending on the heap layout and allocator behavior. The issue is fixed in version 3.21.0.

## Affected products

- FreeRDP FreeRDP < 3.21.0

## Timeline

- 2026-01-19: disclosed
- 2026-01-19: advisory
- 2026-01-19: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/client/X11/xf_graphics.c](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/client/X11/xf_graphics.c)
- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/client/X11/xf_graphics.c](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/client/X11/xf_graphics.c)
- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/libfreerdp/cache/pointer.c](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/libfreerdp/cache/pointer.c)
- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/releases/tag/3.21.0](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/releases/tag/3.21.0)
- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-qcrr-85qx-4p6x](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-qcrr-85qx-4p6x)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2048](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2048)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2081](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2081)

## Related threats

- [FreeRDP heap use-after-free in brush cache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-125394-freerdp-before-3-33-0-contains-a-heap-use-after-free)
- [FreeRDP heap buffer overflow in RD Gateway RPC client](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121964-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-a-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in)
- [FreeRDP use-after-free in dynamic rdpsnd channel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121963-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-a-use-after-free-vulnerability-in)
- [FreeRDP denial of service in NLA shadow server via malformed TSRequest](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121960-freerdp-before-3-32-2-contains-a-denial-of-service-vulnerability)
- [FreeRDP heap out-of-bounds write in RDPGFX HashTable_GetKeys](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121958-freerdp-through-3-32-1-has-a-heap-out-of-bounds-write-in-the)