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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.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-QCP2-45FG-8994
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:16 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:16A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-8625"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-12-12T00:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka \"Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.\" This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10.",
"id": "GHSA-qcp2-45fg-8994",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:16:05Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:16:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8625"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8625"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46022"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106122"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QCP9-CXHM-8CF6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:33 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:33In Netwide Assembler (NASM) 2.14.02, there is a use-after-free in paste_tokens in asm/preproc.c.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-8343"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-02-15T07:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In Netwide Assembler (NASM) 2.14.02, there is a use-after-free in paste_tokens in asm/preproc.c.",
"id": "GHSA-qcp9-cxhm-8cf6",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:33:53Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:33:53Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-8343"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.nasm.us/show_bug.cgi?id=3392556"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-09"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QCPM-MQ3M-89W8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:17 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:17Use-after-free vulnerability in the WebGL implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 15.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, Thunderbird before 15.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, and SeaMonkey before 2.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to deletion of a fragment shader by its accessor.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2012-3968"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2012-08-29T10:56:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use-after-free vulnerability in the WebGL implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 15.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, Thunderbird before 15.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, and SeaMonkey before 2.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to deletion of a fragment shader by its accessor.",
"id": "GHSA-qcpm-mq3m-89w8",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:17:57Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:17:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-3968"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=775852"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16280"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-08/msg00028.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00011.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00014.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1210.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1211.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/2012/mfsa2012-62.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55276"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1548-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1548-2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.xerox.com/download/security/security-bulletin/16287-4d6b7b0c81f7b/cert_XRX13-003_v1.0.pdf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-QCQQ-5QH9-XQ8V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 02:13 – Updated: 2024-10-21 15:32Use-after-free vulnerability in the mozilla::nsTextNodeDirectionalityMap::RemoveElementFromMap function in Mozilla Firefox before 49.0, Firefox ESR 45.x before 45.4, and Thunderbird < 45.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via bidirectional text.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-5280"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2016-09-22T22:59:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Use-after-free vulnerability in the mozilla::nsTextNodeDirectionalityMap::RemoveElementFromMap function in Mozilla Firefox before 49.0, Firefox ESR 45.x before 45.4, and Thunderbird \u003c 45.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via bidirectional text.",
"id": "GHSA-qcqq-5qh9-xq8v",
"modified": "2024-10-21T15:32:16Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T02:13:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-5280"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1289970"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-15"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2016-86"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2016-88"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1912.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3674"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/2016/mfsa2016-85.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2016-3090545.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93049"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036852"
}
],
"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-QCVM-7WGF-4C6M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-09 00:31 – Updated: 2026-07-09 12:30Use after free in Views in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.115 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-15129"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-08T23:16:54Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Views in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.115 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)",
"id": "GHSA-qcvm-7wgf-4c6m",
"modified": "2026-07-09T12:30:27Z",
"published": "2026-07-09T00:31:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-15129"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_01162222768.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/524045160"
}
],
"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-QCVP-H54C-8WQM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-09 18:30 – Updated: 2024-07-09 18:30SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-21308"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-07-09T17:15:11Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider Remote Code Execution Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-qcvp-h54c-8wqm",
"modified": "2024-07-09T18:30:49Z",
"published": "2024-07-09T18:30:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21308"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-21308"
}
],
"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-QCWJ-QP2M-5429
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-28 00:30 – Updated: 2026-10-28 18:31Improper input validation in Command in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-118355"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-20",
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-27T23:17:04Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Improper input validation in Command in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-qcwj-qp2m-5429",
"modified": "2026-10-28T18:31:55Z",
"published": "2026-10-28T00:30:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118355"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0562499947.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/570638833"
}
],
"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-QCWR-3HXC-6W36
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-19 18:31 – Updated: 2026-07-20 15:31In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfc: llcp: Fix use-after-free in llcp_sock_release()
llcp_sock_release() unconditionally unlinks the socket from the local sockets list. However, if the socket is still in connecting state, it is on the connecting list.
Fix this by checking the socket state and unlinking from the correct list.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-64011"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-19T16:17:40Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:\n\nnfc: llcp: Fix use-after-free in llcp_sock_release()\n\nllcp_sock_release() unconditionally unlinks the socket from the local\nsockets list. However, if the socket is still in connecting state, it\nis on the connecting list.\n\nFix this by checking the socket state and unlinking from the correct list.",
"id": "GHSA-qcwr-3hxc-6w36",
"modified": "2026-07-20T15:31:55Z",
"published": "2026-07-19T18:31:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64011"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dfdaaf7d933b676124aadec6698825e95f94fe9"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89ba026747019ee643d29407435ddc118e6ca908"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/912ebc49d4406a17fe73e5671d674fbc2f6b2634"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc421d0826dedbba37580a25405eafb599e76d42"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cdc17e09a636c7f936f771902535a7515a7608fc"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e00f50f8697724a6f1d2d35744c1332c9912dac5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f4268b466190dae95a7585f69b4f1f8ad097632c"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb29f6bbe433f3decad227588809636c25f2a287"
}
],
"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-QCX3-QCRJ-82H7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:46 – Updated: 2024-04-04 00:48Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier version, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier have an use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-7070"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-05-24T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier version, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier have an use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .",
"id": "GHSA-qcx3-qcrj-82h7",
"modified": "2024-04-04T00:48:16Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:46:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-7070"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb19-07.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-19-210"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QF22-W2VM-6C9M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-02 03:31 – Updated: 2025-12-02 15:30In display, there is a possible memory corruption due to use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10196993; Issue ID: MSV-4801.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-20772"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-415",
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-02T03:16:18Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In display, there is a possible memory corruption due to use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10196993; Issue ID: MSV-4801.",
"id": "GHSA-qf22-w2vm-6c9m",
"modified": "2025-12-02T15:30:31Z",
"published": "2025-12-02T03:31:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20772"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/December-2025"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/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.