Client crash via unchecked smartcard padding seek
Published Feb 25, 2026 · Updated Feb 25, 2026
Reachable assertion in FreeRDP before 3.23.0 allows remote attackers operating a malicious RDP server to crash a connected client. smartcard_unpack_read_size_align() uses Stream_Seek() for attacker-controlled NDR padding without checking that enough bytes remain, causing WINPR_ASSERT to call abort(). Smartcard redirection and verbose WINPR assertions must be enabled; the demonstrated consequence is immediate client termination without data access or code execution.
Summary
What happened
Reachable assertion in FreeRDP before 3.23.0 allows remote attackers operating a malicious RDP server to crash a connected client. smartcard_unpack_read_size_align() uses Stream_Seek() for attacker-controlled NDR padding without checking that enough bytes remain, causing WINPR_ASSERT to call abort(). Smartcard redirection and verbose WINPR assertions must be enabled; the demonstrated consequence is immediate client termination without data access or code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-27015
- Published
- Feb 25, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 25, 2026
- Vendor
- FreeRDP
- Product
- FreeRDP
- Classifications
- CWE-617, T1499
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 25, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 3.23.0
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
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- GHSA-7g72-39pq-4725 smartcard packet generator and test harnessproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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