CVE-2026-50260
Use-After-Free in X.Org X Server and Xwayland
Publication date: 2026-06-05
Last updated on: 2026-06-05
Assigner: Red Hat, Inc.
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| x.org | x11_server | to 21.1.22 (inc) |
| x.org | xwayland | to 24.1.9 (inc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-416 | The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-50260 is a use-after-free vulnerability found in the X.Org X server and Xwayland, specifically in the FreeCounter() function.
This flaw occurs when a client sets up multiple SyncCounters and waits on those triggers, and then a second client connection destroys those counters, causing a use-after-free condition.
This means that memory that has already been freed is accessed again, which can lead to unpredictable behavior.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The provided information does not specify how this vulnerability affects compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
Exploitation of this vulnerability can cause the X server to crash, resulting in denial of service.
More seriously, if the X server is running with root privileges, an attacker could leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges on the system.
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate this vulnerability, you should update the affected components to the fixed versions.
- Upgrade xorg-x11-server to version 21.1.23 or later.
- Upgrade xorg-x11-server-Xwayland to version 24.1.12 or later.
These updates address the use-after-free flaw in the FreeCounter() function and prevent potential crashes or privilege escalation.