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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.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-QF8P-76RQ-JCJX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-10-14 15:32Use after free in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.79 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-110168"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T22:17:36Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.79 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-qf8p-76rq-jcjx",
"modified": "2026-10-14T15:32:11Z",
"published": "2026-10-14T00:31:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-110168"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_01668083673.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/568010382"
}
],
"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-QF96-XW5W-6QV3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-04 03:30 – Updated: 2025-04-04 03:30Use after free in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-29815"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-04-04T01:15:39Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network.",
"id": "GHSA-qf96-xw5w-6qv3",
"modified": "2025-04-04T03:30:20Z",
"published": "2025-04-04T03:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-29815"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-29815"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QFC2-WXRW-H7H2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-03 12:31 – Updated: 2025-02-03 18:30Use After Free vulnerability in Arm Ltd Valhall GPU Kernel Driver, Arm Ltd Arm 5th Gen GPU Architecture Kernel Driver allows a local non-privileged user process to make improper GPU processing operations to gain access to already freed memory.This issue affects Valhall GPU Kernel Driver: from r48p0 through r49p1, from r50p0 through r52p0; Arm 5th Gen GPU Architecture Kernel Driver: from r48p0 through r49p1, from r50p0 through r52p0.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-0015"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-03T11:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use After Free vulnerability in Arm Ltd Valhall GPU Kernel Driver, Arm Ltd Arm 5th Gen GPU Architecture Kernel Driver allows a local non-privileged user process to make improper GPU processing operations to gain access to already freed memory.This issue affects Valhall GPU Kernel Driver: from r48p0 through r49p1, from r50p0 through r52p0; Arm 5th Gen GPU Architecture Kernel Driver: from r48p0 through r49p1, from r50p0 through r52p0.",
"id": "GHSA-qfc2-wxrw-h7h2",
"modified": "2025-02-03T18:30:41Z",
"published": "2025-02-03T12:31:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0015"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%20Vulnerabilities"
}
],
"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-QFC3-2VG2-G84P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-21 15:30 – Updated: 2022-12-21 15:30In extract_metadata of dm-android-verity.c, there is a possible way to corrupt kernel memory due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-234030265References: Upstream kernel
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-20571"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-12-16T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In extract_metadata of dm-android-verity.c, there is a possible way to corrupt kernel memory due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-234030265References: Upstream kernel",
"id": "GHSA-qfc3-2vg2-g84p",
"modified": "2022-12-21T15:30:17Z",
"published": "2022-12-21T15:30:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-20571"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2022-12-01"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-QFC3-X2FP-77V6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:41 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:41In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, There is no synchronization between msm_vb2 buffer operations which can lead to use after free.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-9704"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-12-20T15:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, There is no synchronization between msm_vb2 buffer operations which can lead to use after free.",
"id": "GHSA-qfc3-x2fp-77v6",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:41:58Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:41:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-9704"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.codeaurora.org/security-bulletin/2018/12/03/december-2018-code-aurora-security-bulletin"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QFCC-9M6R-R23M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-08-25 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-29 20:06A flaw in the Linux kernel's implementation of RDMA communications manager listener code allowed an attacker with local access to setup a socket to listen on a high port allowing for a list element to be used after free. Given the ability to execute code, a local attacker could leverage this use-after-free to crash the system or possibly escalate privileges on the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-4028"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-08-24T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A flaw in the Linux kernel\u0027s implementation of RDMA communications manager listener code allowed an attacker with local access to setup a socket to listen on a high port allowing for a list element to be used after free. Given the ability to execute code, a local attacker could leverage this use-after-free to crash the system or possibly escalate privileges on the system.",
"id": "GHSA-qfcc-9m6r-r23m",
"modified": "2022-08-29T20:06:48Z",
"published": "2022-08-25T00:00:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-4028"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2021-4028"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2027201"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1193167#c0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=bc0bdc5afaa74"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lkml.org/lkml/2021/10/4/697"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221228-0002"
}
],
"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-QFF9-CFRR-C89X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:01 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:01Adobe Flash Player versions 23.0.0.205 and earlier, 11.2.202.643 and earlier have an exploitable use-after-free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-7863"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2016-11-08T17:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Flash Player versions 23.0.0.205 and earlier, 11.2.202.643 and earlier have an exploitable use-after-free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-qff9-cfrr-c89x",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:01:38Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:01:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7863"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2016/ms16-141"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb16-37.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201611-18"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2676.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94153"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037240"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-16-599"
}
],
"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-QFFG-F4F5-J77V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-30 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-02 00:00kernel/ucount.c in the Linux kernel 5.14 through 5.16.4, when unprivileged user namespaces are enabled, allows a use-after-free and privilege escalation because a ucounts object can outlive its namespace.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-24122"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-29T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "kernel/ucount.c in the Linux kernel 5.14 through 5.16.4, when unprivileged user namespaces are enabled, allows a use-after-free and privilege escalation because a ucounts object can outlive its namespace.",
"id": "GHSA-qffg-f4f5-j77v",
"modified": "2022-04-02T00:00:46Z",
"published": "2022-01-30T00:00:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-24122"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f9d87929d451d3e649699d0f1d74f71f77ad38f5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=f9d87929d451d3e649699d0f1d74f71f77ad38f5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HSR3AI2IQGRKZCHNKF6S25JGDKUEAWWL"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VVSZKUJAZ2VN6LJ35J2B6YD6BOPQTU3B"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HSR3AI2IQGRKZCHNKF6S25JGDKUEAWWL"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VVSZKUJAZ2VN6LJ35J2B6YD6BOPQTU3B"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220221-0001"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/29/1"
}
],
"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-QFFM-J59F-77QW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-22 09:31 – Updated: 2026-09-22 15:32Net::IDN::Punycode versions from 2.301 before 2.590 for Perl allow a heap use-after-free via a decoded code point that reallocates the output buffer in decode_punycode.
The XS backend inserts each decoded code point into the string buffer of the scalar it returns. decode_punycode computes the insertion pointer first and only then grows the buffer when the code point does not fit. The growth reallocates the buffer and updates every pointer except the insertion pointer, so the move that follows and the write of the code point go through a freed pointer. The buffer starts at twice the label length, and a code point above U+FFFF takes four bytes in the output, so a label of such code points outgrows it and forces the reallocation.
Version 2.301, the fix for CVE-2016-15059, introduced the defect. Only the XS backend is affected.
Decoding an attacker-supplied punycode label reads and writes freed heap memory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-74766"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-22T08:16:40Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Net::IDN::Punycode versions from 2.301 before 2.590 for Perl allow a heap use-after-free via a decoded code point that reallocates the output buffer in decode_punycode.\n\nThe XS backend inserts each decoded code point into the string buffer of the scalar it returns. decode_punycode computes the insertion pointer first and only then grows the buffer when the code point does not fit. The growth reallocates the buffer and updates every pointer except the insertion pointer, so the move that follows and the write of the code point go through a freed pointer. The buffer starts at twice the label length, and a code point above U+FFFF takes four bytes in the output, so a label of such code points outgrows it and forces the reallocation.\n\nVersion 2.301, the fix for CVE-2016-15059, introduced the defect. Only the XS backend is affected.\n\nDecoding an attacker-supplied punycode label reads and writes freed heap memory.",
"id": "GHSA-qffm-j59f-77qw",
"modified": "2026-09-22T15:32:32Z",
"published": "2026-09-22T09:31:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74766"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/robrwo/Net-IDN-Encode/commit/259e74c5739175b063c5393a4ce4a0705678ba61.patch"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/robrwo/Net-IDN-Encode/commit/2fbc71e4d8517ab65c5d5d35fda086371b735a3f.patch"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://metacpan.org/release/PJCJ/Net-IDN-Encode-2.590-TRIAL/changes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-15059"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QFG6-74C9-5PCG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-30 03:31 – Updated: 2026-07-30 21:31Use after free in Views in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-17670"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-30T01:16:29Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Use after free in Views in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-qfg6-74c9-5pcg",
"modified": "2026-07-30T21:31:33Z",
"published": "2026-07-30T03:31:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-17670"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0887107924.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/513228974"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.