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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.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
updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Common_Consequences
updated Relationships
updated Potential_Mitigations
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
updated References, Relationships
updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Relationships
updated Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings, White_Box_Definitions
updated Relationships
updated Relationships, Type
updated Relationships
updated References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Description, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Detection_Factors, Relationships, Time_of_Introduction
updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships
updated Observed_Examples
updated Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Alternate_Terms, Common_Consequences, Description, Diagram, Potential_Mitigations, Relationships, Weakness_Ordinalities
updated Relationships
updated Observed_Examples
updated Functional_Areas
updated Applicable_Platforms, Detection_Factors, References, Relationships
updated Common_Consequences, Observed_Examples
updated Observed_Examples, References
12544 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-Q36Q-6R8G-VX46
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-13 21:35 – Updated: 2026-10-13 21:35Use after free in Windows Diagnostic Policy Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-83915"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T19:20:46Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Windows Diagnostic Policy Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-q36q-6r8g-vx46",
"modified": "2026-10-13T21:35:09Z",
"published": "2026-10-13T21:35:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-83915"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83915"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q36X-5CV4-59HH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-27 15:33 – Updated: 2026-10-15 03:35In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: mwifiex: fix use-after-free in mwifiex_adapter_cleanup()
The mwifiex_adapter_cleanup() function uses timer_delete() (non-synchronous) for the wakeup_timer before the adapter structure is freed. This is incorrect because timer_delete() does not wait for any running timer callback to complete.
If the wakeup_timer callback (wakeup_timer_fn) is executing when mwifiex_adapter_cleanup() is called, the callback will continue to access adapter fields (adapter->hw_status, adapter->if_ops.card_reset, etc.) which may be freed by mwifiex_free_adapter() called later in the mwifiex_remove_card() path.
Use timer_delete_sync() instead to ensure any running timer callback has completed before returning.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-46069"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-27T14:17:28Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:\n\nwifi: mwifiex: fix use-after-free in mwifiex_adapter_cleanup()\n\nThe mwifiex_adapter_cleanup() function uses timer_delete()\n(non-synchronous) for the wakeup_timer before the adapter structure is\nfreed. This is incorrect because timer_delete() does not wait for any\nrunning timer callback to complete.\n\nIf the wakeup_timer callback (wakeup_timer_fn) is executing when\nmwifiex_adapter_cleanup() is called, the callback will continue to\naccess adapter fields (adapter-\u003ehw_status, adapter-\u003eif_ops.card_reset,\netc.) which may be freed by mwifiex_free_adapter() called later in the\nmwifiex_remove_card() path.\n\nUse timer_delete_sync() instead to ensure any running timer callback has\ncompleted before returning.",
"id": "GHSA-q36x-5cv4-59hh",
"modified": "2026-10-15T03:35:58Z",
"published": "2026-05-27T15:33:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-46069"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784472.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/030abbae49cf9fd1fba7aa08e15ec81efbeb78cf"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/11869ce402d95519d49b25a2a97741f68d69d103"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1958a92599b2653d730ccb6f5685fc3fbed21812"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4e179a60a60c0a5aea245e8e67768343c0f070b8"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/63fe3389b3e092d6c0eeea9fc0318e7918b16618"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a88f5391dc68f78cae5eb6a8cd341cafee795d3d"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ae5e95d4157481693be2317e3ffcd84e36010cbb"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c3508895450cca4aeaf5dbadbb5e582363005264"
}
],
"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-Q376-JH5M-V6WP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-26 21:31 – Updated: 2025-08-27 15:33Use after free in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 139.0.7258.154 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-9478"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-26T19:15:51Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 139.0.7258.154 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)",
"id": "GHSA-q376-jh5m-v6wp",
"modified": "2025-08-27T15:33:14Z",
"published": "2025-08-26T21:31:07Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-9478"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2025/08/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_26.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/437825940"
}
],
"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-Q39P-C62C-433G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:01 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:01While processing modem SSR after IMS is registered, the IMS data daemon is restarted but the ipc_dataHandle is no longer available. Consequently, the DPL thread frees the internal memory for dataDHandle but the local variable pointer is not updated which can lead to a Use After Free condition in Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-5891"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-07-06T17:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "While processing modem SSR after IMS is registered, the IMS data daemon is restarted but the ipc_dataHandle is no longer available. Consequently, the DPL thread frees the internal memory for dataDHandle but the local variable pointer is not updated which can lead to a Use After Free condition in Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear.",
"id": "GHSA-q39p-c62c-433g",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:01:06Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:01:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-5891"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q39Q-JXVP-53MM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:09 – Updated: 2024-10-21 15:32A use-after-free vulnerability during XSLT processing due to a failure to propagate error conditions during matching while evaluating context, leading to objects being used when they no longer exist. This results in a potentially exploitable crash. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird < 52.1, Firefox ESR < 45.9, Firefox ESR < 52.1, and Firefox < 53.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-5440"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-06-11T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A use-after-free vulnerability during XSLT processing due to a failure to propagate error conditions during matching while evaluating context, leading to objects being used when they no longer exist. This results in a potentially exploitable crash. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird \u003c 52.1, Firefox ESR \u003c 45.9, Firefox ESR \u003c 52.1, and Firefox \u003c 53.",
"id": "GHSA-q39q-jxvp-53mm",
"modified": "2024-10-21T15:32:20Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:09:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1104"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1106"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1201"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1336832"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3831"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2017-10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2017-11"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2017-12"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2017-13"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97940"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038320"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q3CC-7P7G-392C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-08-25 20:47 – Updated: 2021-08-19 21:08An issue was discovered in the rusqlite crate before 0.23.0 for Rust. Memory safety can be violated because sessions.rs has a use-after-free.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "crates.io",
"name": "rusqlite"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.23.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-35873"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-08-19T21:08:56Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2020-12-31T10:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in the rusqlite crate before 0.23.0 for Rust. Memory safety can be violated because sessions.rs has a use-after-free.",
"id": "GHSA-q3cc-7p7g-392c",
"modified": "2021-08-19T21:08:56Z",
"published": "2021-08-25T20:47:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-35873"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rusqlite/rusqlite/commit/ac30e169ae51b262bc8cf7026469851ce39b23c6"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/rusqlite/rusqlite"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rusqlite/rusqlite/releases/tag/0.23.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://rustsec.org/advisories/RUSTSEC-2020-0014.html"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "Use after free in rusqlite"
}
GHSA-Q3FQ-3V96-65RG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-21 00:32 – Updated: 2026-10-21 00:32Use after free in ReadingMode in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-113274"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416",
"CWE-79"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-20T22:19:21Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in ReadingMode in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)",
"id": "GHSA-q3fq-3v96-65rg",
"modified": "2026-10-21T00:32:49Z",
"published": "2026-10-21T00:32:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-113274"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_02018666648.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/570715681"
}
],
"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-Q3FR-W6RP-RJ7G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-14 18:30 – Updated: 2025-10-14 18:30Use after free in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-55335"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-362",
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-14T17:15:46Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-q3fr-w6rp-rj7g",
"modified": "2025-10-14T18:30:30Z",
"published": "2025-10-14T18:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-55335"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-55335"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q3GQ-RG4M-VGRP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-08 21:30 – Updated: 2023-11-15 18:30Use after free in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 119.0.6045.123 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-5996"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-08T20:15:07Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 119.0.6045.123 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-q3gq-rg4m-vgrp",
"modified": "2023-11-15T18:30:21Z",
"published": "2023-11-08T21:30:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5996"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/11/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://crbug.com/1497859"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/2MHLJRFWZNY6BFOW25Q4FEESVWZKS4C2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PHWLT3M2AQDFD7RNAM3NJMYUC5KHMO5V"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-11"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-07"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-34"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5551"
}
],
"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-Q3J6-J6M8-FX65
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-17 18:35 – Updated: 2026-06-17 18:35Use after free in Web Authentication in Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.155 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-12443"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-17T13:19:59Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Web Authentication in Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.155 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)",
"id": "GHSA-q3j6-j6m8-fx65",
"modified": "2026-06-17T18:35:46Z",
"published": "2026-06-17T18:35:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-12443"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_01750511403.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/522566295"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.