# CVE-2026-23884: FreeRDP use after free in GDI offscreen bitmap deletion

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-23884-freerdp-use-after-free-in-gdi-offscreen-bitmap-deletion  
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-2026-23884 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-01-19

FreeRDP is an open-source implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol used to connect to remote computers. A vulnerability in how the software handles image data (bitmaps) could allow a malicious server to crash a user's connection or potentially execute unauthorized code on the user's computer. This risk is present when a user connects to a compromised or untrusted remote server using an affected version of the FreeRDP client.

Technologies: [FreeRDP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/freerdp), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-appstream). Vendors: [FreeRDP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/freerdp), [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-23884 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-23884 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-23884?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 19 January 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** FreeRDP < 3.21.0; Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream 8.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-23884?** A patch was published on 2026-01-19: FreeRDP version 3.21.0 released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-23884 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-23884?** Check whether you run FreeRDP or Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream 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 GDI component due to improper pointer management during offscreen bitmap deletion. Specifically, the 'CREATE_OFFSCREEN_BITMAP' order can delete an existing bitmap via 'deleteList', which calls 'offscreen_cache_delete' and frees the 'rdpBitmap' object. However, the 'gdi->drawing' pointer is not updated and remains pointing to the freed memory. When a subsequent primary order with 'ORDER_BOUNDS' arrives, 'gdi_set_bounds' dereferences the dangling 'gdi->drawing->hdc' pointer. An attacker controlling a malicious RDP server can trigger this UAF to cause a crash or heap corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The issue is fixed in version 3.21.0.

## Affected products

- FreeRDP FreeRDP < 3.21.0
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) 7
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) 8
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) 10

## Timeline

- 2026-01-19: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-cfgj-vc84-f3pp published
- 2026-01-19: patched: FreeRDP version 3.21.0 released

## References

- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/libfreerdp/cache/offscreen.c](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/libfreerdp/cache/offscreen.c)
- [https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/libfreerdp/cache/offscreen.c](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/blob/3370e30e92a021eb680892dda14d642bc8b8727c/libfreerdp/cache/offscreen.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-cfgj-vc84-f3pp](https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-cfgj-vc84-f3pp)
- [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)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2222](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2222)

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