Libevent UAF in buffer.c before 2.1.13 & 2.2.2-alpha
CVE-2026-63381 Published on August 20, 2026
Libevent: Dangling Pointer in `evbuffer_add_buffer_reference`
Libevent is an event notification library. Prior to 2.1.13 and 2.2.2-alpha, libevent has a use-after-free in buffer.c when evbuffer_add_buffer_reference processes an output buffer whose out_total_len is zero. evbuffer_free_all_chains frees the initial empty chain without resetting outbuf->first, outbuf->last, or outbuf->last_with_datap, and APPEND_CHAIN_MULTICAST subsequently dereferences the dangling chain pointer. A caller that can drive this buffer state can cause memory corruption or a process crash. This issue is fixed in versions 2.1.13 and 2.2.2-alpha.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-63381 can be exploited with local system access, and requires small amount of user privileges. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have no impact on confidentiality and integrity and availability.
Weakness Type
Use of Uninitialized Resource
The software uses or accesses a resource that has not been initialized. When a resource has not been properly initialized, the software may behave unexpectedly. This may lead to a crash or invalid memory access, but the consequences vary depending on the type of resource and how it is used within the software.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-63381
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Affected Versions
libevent:- Version >= 2.2.0-alpha, < 2.2.2-alpha is affected.
- Version < 2.1.13 is affected.