CWE-416
Weakness AllowedUse After Free
Abstraction: Variant · Status: Stable
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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
Mapping guidance
This CWE entry is at the Variant level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities.
Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is an appropriate fit. Do not try to 'force' a mapping to a lower-level Base/Variant simply to comply with this preferred level of abstraction.
Relationships and members
Modes of introduction
Detection methods
Fuzzing
Fuzz testing (fuzzing) is a powerful technique for generating large numbers of diverse inputs - either randomly or algorithmically - and dynamically invoking the code with those inputs. Even with random inputs, it is often capable of generating unexpected results such as crashes, memory corruption, or resource consumption. Fuzzing effectively produces repeatable test cases that clearly indicate bugs, which helps developers to diagnose the issues.
Effectiveness: High
Automated Static Analysis
Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)
Effectiveness: High
Automated Dynamic Analysis
Use tools that are integrated during compilation to insert runtime error-checking mechanisms related to memory safety errors, such as AddressSanitizer (ASan) for C/C++ [REF-1518].
Effectiveness: Moderate
Crafted inputs are necessary to reach the code containing the error, such as generated by fuzzers. Also, these tools may reduce performance, and they only report the error condition - not the original mistake that led to the error.
Content history
Suggested rephrase for extended description
Contributed or reviewed taxonomy mappings for ISA/IEC 62443
Provided diagram to improve CWE usability
updated Potential_Mitigations, Time_of_Introduction
added/updated white box definitions
updated Applicable_Platforms, Common_Consequences, Relationships, Observed_Example, Other_Notes, Taxonomy_Mappings
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updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Alternate_Terms, Common_Consequences, Description, Observed_Examples, Other_Notes, Potential_Mitigations, Relationships
updated Description
updated Common_Consequences
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
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updated Functional_Areas
updated Applicable_Platforms, Detection_Factors, References, Relationships
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12544 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-PRJ9-VFHQ-9G4M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-12-15 00:01 – Updated: 2021-12-15 00:01A vulnerability has been identified in JT Utilities (All versions < V13.0.3.0), JTTK (All versions < V11.0.3.0). JTTK library in affected products contains a use-after-free vulnerability that could be triggered while parsing specially crafted JT files. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-14911)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-44447"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-12-14T12:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability has been identified in JT Utilities (All versions \u003c V13.0.3.0), JTTK (All versions \u003c V11.0.3.0). JTTK library in affected products contains a use-after-free vulnerability that could be triggered while parsing specially crafted JT files. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-14911)",
"id": "GHSA-prj9-vfhq-9g4m",
"modified": "2021-12-15T00:01:08Z",
"published": "2021-12-15T00:01:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44447"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-352143.pdf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-PRJH-7GR6-423R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-19 00:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 04:14A use-after-free related to unsound inference in the bytecode generation when optimizations are enabled for Hermes prior to commit da8990f737ebb9d9810633502f65ed462b819c09 could have been used by an attacker to achieve remote code execution. Note that this is only exploitable in cases where Hermes is used to execute untrusted JavaScript. Hence, most React Native applications are not affected.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-30470"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-05-18T22:15:09Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A use-after-free related to unsound inference in the bytecode generation when optimizations are enabled for Hermes prior to commit da8990f737ebb9d9810633502f65ed462b819c09 could have been used by an attacker to achieve remote code execution. Note that this is only exploitable in cases where Hermes is used to execute untrusted JavaScript. Hence, most React Native applications are not affected.",
"id": "GHSA-prjh-7gr6-423r",
"modified": "2024-04-04T04:14:53Z",
"published": "2023-05-19T00:30:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-30470"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/facebook/hermes/commit/da8990f737ebb9d9810633502f65ed462b819c09"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.facebook.com/security/advisories/cve-2023-30470"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PRJX-Q4R9-5F42
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-09-16 00:00 – Updated: 2022-09-20 00:00This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ansys SpaceClaim 2022 R1. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of JT files. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17045.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-40637"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-09-15T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ansys SpaceClaim 2022 R1. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of JT files. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17045.",
"id": "GHSA-prjx-q4r9-5f42",
"modified": "2022-09-20T00:00:29Z",
"published": "2022-09-16T00:00:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-40637"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-1193"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PRQ9-V8FH-P62P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-20 21:31 – Updated: 2026-05-20 21:31Use after free in QUIC in Google Chrome on prior to 148.0.7778.179 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via malicious network traffic. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-9114"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-20T20:16:42Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in QUIC in Google Chrome on prior to 148.0.7778.179 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via malicious network traffic. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-prq9-v8fh-p62p",
"modified": "2026-05-20T21:31:32Z",
"published": "2026-05-20T21:31:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-9114"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0841193308.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/495798630"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PRRG-PVXW-Q4M2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-01 12:30 – Updated: 2026-01-16 21:30In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
HID: mcp-2221: prevent UAF in delayed work
If the device is plugged/unplugged without giving time for mcp_init_work() to complete, we might kick in the devm free code path and thus have unavailable struct mcp_2221 while in delayed work.
Canceling the delayed_work item is enough to solve the issue, because cancel_delayed_work_sync will prevent the work item to requeue itself.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-53459"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-01T12:15:47Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:\n\nHID: mcp-2221: prevent UAF in delayed work\n\nIf the device is plugged/unplugged without giving time for mcp_init_work()\nto complete, we might kick in the devm free code path and thus have\nunavailable struct mcp_2221 while in delayed work.\n\nCanceling the delayed_work item is enough to solve the issue, because\ncancel_delayed_work_sync will prevent the work item to requeue itself.",
"id": "GHSA-prrg-pvxw-q4m2",
"modified": "2026-01-16T21:30:29Z",
"published": "2025-10-01T12:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-53459"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/47e91fdfa511139f2549687edb0d8649b123227b"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5dc297652dbc557eba7ca7d6a4c5f1940dffffb1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PRV7-W76C-77W5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-06 21:31 – Updated: 2026-10-06 21:31Use after free in TabStrip in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.39 allowed a remote attacker leveraging social engineering to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-106211"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-06T19:17:47Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Use after free in TabStrip in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.39 allowed a remote attacker leveraging social engineering to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-prv7-w76c-77w5",
"modified": "2026-10-06T21:31:42Z",
"published": "2026-10-06T21:31:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-106211"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_086471744.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/562002095"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PRXC-P2G7-M92V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-03-31 21:32 – Updated: 2025-03-31 21:32In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
keys: Fix UAF in key_put()
Once a key's reference count has been reduced to 0, the garbage collector thread may destroy it at any time and so key_put() is not allowed to touch the key after that point. The most key_put() is normally allowed to do is to touch key_gc_work as that's a static global variable.
However, in an effort to speed up the reclamation of quota, this is now done in key_put() once the key's usage is reduced to 0 - but now the code is looking at the key after the deadline, which is forbidden.
Fix this by using a flag to indicate that a key can be gc'd now rather than looking at the key's refcount in the garbage collector.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-21893"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-03-31T20:15:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:\n\nkeys: Fix UAF in key_put()\n\nOnce a key\u0027s reference count has been reduced to 0, the garbage collector\nthread may destroy it at any time and so key_put() is not allowed to touch\nthe key after that point. The most key_put() is normally allowed to do is\nto touch key_gc_work as that\u0027s a static global variable.\n\nHowever, in an effort to speed up the reclamation of quota, this is now\ndone in key_put() once the key\u0027s usage is reduced to 0 - but now the code\nis looking at the key after the deadline, which is forbidden.\n\nFix this by using a flag to indicate that a key can be gc\u0027d now rather than\nlooking at the key\u0027s refcount in the garbage collector.",
"id": "GHSA-prxc-p2g7-m92v",
"modified": "2025-03-31T21:32:48Z",
"published": "2025-03-31T21:32:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21893"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6afe2ea2daec156bd94ad2c5a6f4f4c48240dcd3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75845c6c1a64483e9985302793dbf0dfa5f71e32"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f6a3cf833188e897c97028cd7b926e3f2cb1a8c0"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PRXH-339C-HVMR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-25 21:31 – Updated: 2026-08-26 18:31Use after free in PDF in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted PDF file. (Chromium security severity: Low)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-79119"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-25T21:18:06Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in PDF in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted PDF file. (Chromium security severity: Low)",
"id": "GHSA-prxh-339c-hvmr",
"modified": "2026-08-26T18:31:43Z",
"published": "2026-08-25T21:31:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79119"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/08/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0256176589.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/513688690"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PV4C-F5CP-HCVH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:32 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:32Use after free in Mojo in Google Chrome prior to 86.0.4240.99 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-15997"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-03T03:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Mojo in Google Chrome prior to 86.0.4240.99 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page.",
"id": "GHSA-pv4c-f5cp-hcvh",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:32:56Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:32:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15997"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/chrome-for-android-update_31.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://crbug.com/1133668"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-PV5C-VXPF-5J93
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-09 06:30 – Updated: 2025-10-09 06:30Memory corruption while allocating buffers in DSP service.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-47354"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-09T04:16:47Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Memory corruption while allocating buffers in DSP service.",
"id": "GHSA-pv5c-vxpf-5j93",
"modified": "2025-10-09T06:30:25Z",
"published": "2025-10-09T06:30:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-47354"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/october-2025-bulletin.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Strategy: Language Selection
Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
Mitigation
Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction
When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
No CAPEC attack patterns related to this CWE.