Privilege escalation via stale buffer allocation size
Published Oct 30, 2024 · Updated Mar 18, 2026
Heap buffer overflow in X.Org X Server 1.1.1 through 21.1.13 allows local users to gain privileges via a modified XKB bitmap. _XkbSetCompatMap resizes its sym_interpret buffer but updates num_si without updating size_si, allowing later writes beyond the allocated heap buffer. Root execution enables local privilege escalation, while SSH-forwarded X11 can expose code execution remotely; otherwise the server can crash.
Summary
What happened
Heap buffer overflow in X.Org X Server 1.1.1 through 21.1.13 allows local users to gain privileges via a modified XKB bitmap. _XkbSetCompatMap resizes its sym_interpret buffer but updates num_si without updating size_si, allowing later writes beyond the allocated heap buffer. Root execution enables local privilege escalation, while SSH-forwarded X11 can expose code execution remotely; otherwise the server can crash.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-9632
- Published
- Oct 30, 2024
- Updated
- Mar 18, 2026
- Vendor
- Red Hat
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Telecommunications Update Service
- Classifications
- CWE-122, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 30, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 18, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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