📄 Description (English)
FreeRDP is a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol. Prior to 3.22.0, the RDPSND async playback thread can process queued PDUs after the channel is closed and internal state is freed, leading to a use after free in rdpsnd_treat_wave. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.22.0.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
FreeRDP versions prior to 3.22.0 contain a use-after-free vulnerability in the RDPSND async playback thread that can be exploited when PDUs are processed after channel closure. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5 and could lead to denial of service or potential code execution. Immediate patching to version 3.22.0 or later is strongly recommended for all affected deployments.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 4, 2026 17:16
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations using FreeRDP for remote desktop access, particularly in: (1) Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions) relying on RDP for secure remote administration; (2) Government agencies (NCA oversight) using FreeRDP for secure communications; (3) Healthcare organizations (MOH) utilizing RDP for telemedicine and administrative access; (4) Energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC) employing RDP for critical infrastructure management; (5) Telecommunications (STC, Mobily) using RDP for network operations. The vulnerability could enable attackers to crash RDP sessions or potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the RDP service.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Services
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all FreeRDP installations in your environment using version scanning tools
2. Prioritize systems handling sensitive data (banking, government, healthcare, energy)
3. Implement network segmentation to restrict RDP access to trusted networks only
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade FreeRDP to version 3.22.0 or later immediately
2. Test patches in non-production environments first
3. Schedule patching during maintenance windows with minimal business impact
4. Verify patch installation by checking version numbers post-deployment
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Disable RDPSND audio redirection if not required: set 'rdpsnd' to 'off' in RDP configuration
2. Implement strict firewall rules limiting RDP access to authorized IP ranges only
3. Enable RDP connection logging and monitoring for anomalous behavior
4. Restrict RDP access to VPN-only connections with multi-factor authentication
5. Monitor for unexpected process crashes or service restarts
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for FreeRDP process crashes with error codes related to memory access violations
2. Alert on repeated RDP connection failures followed by service restarts
3. Track RDPSND channel initialization and closure events for mismatches
4. Monitor system logs for access violations in FreeRDP process memory space
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات FreeRDP في بيئتك باستخدام أدوات المسح
2. إعطاء الأولوية للأنظمة التي تتعامل مع البيانات الحساسة (البنوك والحكومة والرعاية الصحية والطاقة)
3. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة لتقييد وصول RDP إلى الشبكات الموثوقة فقط
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية FreeRDP إلى الإصدار 3.22.0 أو الإصدارات الأحدث فوراً
2. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج أولاً
3. جدولة التصحيحات خلال نوافذ الصيانة بأقل تأثير على الأعمال
4. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح بفحص أرقام الإصدارات بعد النشر
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تعطيل إعادة توجيه صوت RDPSND إذا لم تكن مطلوبة
2. تنفيذ قواعد جدار الحماية الصارمة لتقييد وصول RDP إلى نطاقات IP المصرح بها فقط
3. تفعيل تسجيل وتراقبة اتصالات RDP للسلوك الشاذ
4. تقييد وصول RDP إلى اتصالات VPN فقط مع المصادقة متعددة العوامل
5. مراقبة أعطال العمليات غير المتوقعة أو إعادة تشغيل الخدمة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة أعطال عملية FreeRDP برموز خطأ تتعلق بانتهاكات الوصول إلى الذاكرة
2. التنبيه على فشل اتصالات RDP المتكررة متبوعة بإعادة تشغيل الخدمة
3. تتبع أحداث تهيئة وإغلاق قناة RDPSND للعدم التطابق
4. مراقبة سجلات النظام لانتهاكات الوصول في مساحة ذاكرة عملية FreeRDP
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Monitoring and logging of access
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.RA-1 - Asset Management and Inventory
SAMA CSF PR.IP-12 - Software Development and Quality Assurance
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Analysis
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.2.1 - Information and other assets associated with information processing facilities
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy and procedures
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1.3 - Segregation of duties
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Ensure that all system components and software are kept up to date with all applicable security patches
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/commit/622bb7b4402491ca003f47472d0e478132673696
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/commit/afa6851dc80835d3101e40fcef51b6c5c0f43ea5
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-vcgv-xgjp-h83q
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
Vendor Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
freerdp:freerdp