Kernel code execution via timer command validation
Published Aug 21, 2026 · Updated Aug 21, 2026
Privilege escalation in FreeRTOS Kernel 7.0.0 through 11.3.0 allows local users to execute code in privileged kernel context. The software timer command path accepts an externally submitted internal callback command, causing the privileged timer service task to invoke a caller-supplied function. Exploitation requires an unprivileged task in a build that enables both the FreeRTOS MPU and software timers, and it bypasses MPU-enforced task isolation.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in FreeRTOS Kernel 7.0.0 through 11.3.0 allows local users to execute code in privileged kernel context. The software timer command path accepts an externally submitted internal callback command, causing the privileged timer service task to invoke a caller-supplied function. Exploitation requires an unprivileged task in a build that enables both the FreeRTOS MPU and software timers, and it bypasses MPU-enforced task isolation.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-77234
- Published
- Aug 21, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 21, 2026
- Vendor
- FreeRTOS
- Product
- FreeRTOS Kernel
- Classifications
- CWE-863, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 21, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 21, 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=7.0.0 <=11.3.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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