CVE-2026-56000: xorg-x11-server / xwayland GLX contextTags Use-After-Free in CommonMakeCurrent()
CommonMakeCurrent() in the GLX dispatch layer captures a pointer into the per-client cl->contextTags array by calling GlxLookupContextTag(). This returns a direct pointer into an array later realloced. If realloc() moves the buffer to a new location, the previously captured oldTag pointer becomes dangling. The subsequent GlxFreeContextTag(oldTag) then writes zeros into freed heap memory (use-after-free). Five fields are zeroed at fixed offsets (16, 24, 32, 36, 40 bytes) within the stale slot. A malicious client can force the realloc by creating 16 GLX contexts with MakeCurrent(oldContextTag=0) to fill all tag slots to capacity, then issuing a 17th MakeCurrent with a non-zero oldContextTag. This triggers the realloc while oldTag points into the old buffer. The attack requires only 34 X11 requests (17 CreateContext + 17 MakeCurrent) from a single client.
Other sources
Local attackers with a X connection able to provide GLX commit to the X server xorg-server before 21.2.24 and xwayland before 24.1.13 could cause a Heap Use After Free, due to CommonMakeCurrent() pointing into potentially reallocated memory.
— MITRE
xorg-x11-server / xwayland GLX contextTags Use-After-Free in CommonMakeCurrent()
— Microsoft
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 24.1.13-1 - Upgrade
Upgrade
xorg-x11-server (GLX contextTags)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 21.2.24 - Upgrade
Upgrade
xwayland (GLX contextTags)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 24.1.13
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-56000?
CVE-2026-56000 has a critical severity rating of 9.
How do I fix CVE-2026-56000?
To fix CVE-2026-56000, update xorg-server to version 21.2.24 or higher and xwayland to version 24.1.13 or higher.
What types of systems are affected by CVE-2026-56000?
CVE-2026-56000 affects systems running xorg-server prior to version 21.2.24 and xwayland prior to version 24.1.13.
What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2026-56000?
CVE-2026-56000 is classified as a Use After Free vulnerability.
What is the potential impact of exploiting CVE-2026-56000?
Exploiting CVE-2026-56000 could allow local attackers to cause a Heap Use After Free, leading to possibly executing arbitrary code.