CVE-2026-56117: Use After Free in NetworkConfiguration dhcpcd
A heap use-after-free vulnerability exists in dhcpcd through version 10.3.2 in the control socket handling code. This flaw allows local unprivileged attackers to cause memory corruption when privilege separation is disabled or fails. The issue arises when a privileged command triggers freeing of a client object while a stale pointer is still processed, leading to use-after-free. The vulnerability is fixed in a commit identified as 78ea09e.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
dhcpcd versions up to and including 10.3.2 contain a heap use-after-free vulnerability in src/control.c related to control socket handling. When privilege separation is disabled or fails, an unprivileged local attacker can connect to the control socket and send privileged commands (e.g., -x). This causes control_recvdata() to free the client object, but a subsequent READ+HANGUP event triggers control_hangup() with a stale pointer, resulting in a use-after-free condition. This vulnerability is addressed in commit 78ea09e.
Potential Impact
Local unprivileged attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trigger memory corruption in dhcpcd when privilege separation is disabled or not properly initialized. This could potentially lead to instability or other undefined behavior in affected systems. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix for this vulnerability is available in commit 78ea09e. Users should upgrade dhcpcd to a version that includes this fix. Until patched, ensure that privilege separation is enabled and properly initialized to mitigate the risk. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the advisory; verify with the vendor or source repository for the fixed version.
CVE-2026-56117: Use After Free in NetworkConfiguration dhcpcd
Description
A heap use-after-free vulnerability exists in dhcpcd through version 10.3.2 in the control socket handling code. This flaw allows local unprivileged attackers to cause memory corruption when privilege separation is disabled or fails. The issue arises when a privileged command triggers freeing of a client object while a stale pointer is still processed, leading to use-after-free. The vulnerability is fixed in a commit identified as 78ea09e.
CVSS v4.0
Score 5.7medium
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
dhcpcd versions up to and including 10.3.2 contain a heap use-after-free vulnerability in src/control.c related to control socket handling. When privilege separation is disabled or fails, an unprivileged local attacker can connect to the control socket and send privileged commands (e.g., -x). This causes control_recvdata() to free the client object, but a subsequent READ+HANGUP event triggers control_hangup() with a stale pointer, resulting in a use-after-free condition. This vulnerability is addressed in commit 78ea09e.
Potential Impact
Local unprivileged attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trigger memory corruption in dhcpcd when privilege separation is disabled or not properly initialized. This could potentially lead to instability or other undefined behavior in affected systems. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix for this vulnerability is available in commit 78ea09e. Users should upgrade dhcpcd to a version that includes this fix. Until patched, ensure that privilege separation is enabled and properly initialized to mitigate the risk. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the advisory; verify with the vendor or source repository for the fixed version.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-18T19:15:10.651Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a3ab6dbeed863c81e4f9f6c
Added to database: 06/23/2026, 16:39:55 UTC
Last enriched: 06/23/2026, 16:54:53 UTC
Last updated: 06/23/2026, 17:31:05 UTC
Views: 5
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