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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.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 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
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updated Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings, White_Box_Definitions
updated Relationships
updated Relationships, Type
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updated References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
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updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Description, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Detection_Factors, Relationships, Time_of_Introduction
updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships
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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-QV39-C232-842J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-05 00:31 – Updated: 2026-06-05 03:31Use after free in Passwords in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 149.0.7827.53 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-10901"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-04T23:16:51Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Passwords in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 149.0.7827.53 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)",
"id": "GHSA-qv39-c232-842j",
"modified": "2026-06-05T03:31:30Z",
"published": "2026-06-05T00:31:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-10901"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/516957738"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QV58-XPXR-7HJX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:06 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:06Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 2015.006.30060, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 2015.008.20082 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4448, CVE-2015-5095, CVE-2015-5099, CVE-2015-5101, CVE-2015-5113, and CVE-2015-5114.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-5111"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-07-15T14:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.15 and 11.x before 11.0.12, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Classic before 2015.006.30060, and Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC Continuous before 2015.008.20082 on Windows and OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4448, CVE-2015-5095, CVE-2015-5099, CVE-2015-5101, CVE-2015-5113, and CVE-2015-5114.",
"id": "GHSA-qv58-xpxr-7hjx",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:06:50Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:06:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-5111"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/reader/apsb15-15.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/75739"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032892"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-QV5H-FQ2W-C68J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:47 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:47The init_new_context function in arch/x86/include/asm/mmu_context.h in the Linux kernel before 4.12.10 does not correctly handle errors from LDT table allocation when forking a new process, allowing a local attacker to achieve a use-after-free or possibly have unspecified other impact by running a specially crafted program. This vulnerability only affected kernels built with CONFIG_MODIFY_LDT_SYSCALL=y.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-17053"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-11-29T03:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The init_new_context function in arch/x86/include/asm/mmu_context.h in the Linux kernel before 4.12.10 does not correctly handle errors from LDT table allocation when forking a new process, allowing a local attacker to achieve a use-after-free or possibly have unspecified other impact by running a specially crafted program. This vulnerability only affected kernels built with CONFIG_MODIFY_LDT_SYSCALL=y.",
"id": "GHSA-qv5h-fq2w-c68j",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:47:11Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:47:11Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-17053"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/ccd5b3235180eef3cfec337df1c8554ab151b5cc"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0676"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.12.10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ccd5b3235180eef3cfec337df1c8554ab151b5cc"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/102010"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QV8M-4336-W8C4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-13 21:34 – Updated: 2026-10-13 21:34Use after free in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-70086"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T19:19:20Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-qv8m-4336-w8c4",
"modified": "2026-10-13T21:34:04Z",
"published": "2026-10-13T21:34:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-70086"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-70086"
}
],
"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-QV8P-84PR-826V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-09 00:33 – Updated: 2026-06-09 03:31Use after free in Dawn in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 149.0.7827.103 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-11687"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-09T00:16:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Dawn in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 149.0.7827.103 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-qv8p-84pr-826v",
"modified": "2026-06-09T03:31:39Z",
"published": "2026-06-09T00:33:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-11687"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0153744567.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/517303276"
}
],
"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-QVF3-4WMM-XW53
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-13 21:34 – Updated: 2026-10-13 21:34Use after free in Windows Installer allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-83717"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T19:20:16Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Windows Installer allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-qvf3-4wmm-xw53",
"modified": "2026-10-13T21:34:43Z",
"published": "2026-10-13T21:34:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-83717"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83717"
}
],
"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-QVF7-GCFC-9V5X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-26 21:36 – Updated: 2026-11-04 15:32A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. An attacker may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-112514"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-26T21:17:43Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. An attacker may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.",
"id": "GHSA-qvf7-gcfc-9v5x",
"modified": "2026-11-04T15:32:11Z",
"published": "2026-10-26T21:36:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-112514"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149227"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149230"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149521"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149522"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149523"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149524"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149525"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/149526"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QVFM-P47W-GW9G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-13 21:33 – Updated: 2026-10-13 21:33Use after free in Windows TCP/IP allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-69913"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T19:19:02Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Use after free in Windows TCP/IP allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.",
"id": "GHSA-qvfm-p47w-gw9g",
"modified": "2026-10-13T21:33:53Z",
"published": "2026-10-13T21:33:53Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-69913"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-69913"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QVFP-RJPG-W73V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-01-18 03:30 – Updated: 2024-01-24 21:30In vsp driver, there is a possible use after free due to a logic error. This could lead to local denial of service with System execution privileges needed
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-48353"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-01-18T03:15:57Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In vsp driver, there is a possible use after free due to a logic error. This could lead to local denial of service with System execution privileges needed",
"id": "GHSA-qvfp-rjpg-w73v",
"modified": "2024-01-24T21:30:33Z",
"published": "2024-01-18T03:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-48353"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.unisoc.com/en_us/secy/announcementDetail/1745735200442220545"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QVG2-H6W2-CVWJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-07-05 12:30 – Updated: 2024-01-07 12:30A use-after-free condition existed in NotifyOnHistoryReload where a LoadingSessionHistoryEntry object was freed and a reference to that object remained. This resulted in a potentially exploitable condition when the reference to that object was later reused. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 115.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-37209"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-416"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-07-05T10:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A use-after-free condition existed in `NotifyOnHistoryReload` where a `LoadingSessionHistoryEntry` object was freed and a reference to that object remained. This resulted in a potentially exploitable condition when the reference to that object was later reused. This vulnerability affects Firefox \u003c 115.",
"id": "GHSA-qvg2-h6w2-cvwj",
"modified": "2024-01-07T12:30:29Z",
"published": "2023-07-05T12:30:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37209"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1837993"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-22"
}
],
"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.