CVE-2026-5398: The implementation of TIOCNOTTY failed to clear a back-pointer from the structure representing the controlling

Routine

HIGH 8.4MITIGATE

CVE-2026-5398 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.4) affecting freebsd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The implementation of TIOCNOTTY failed to clear a back-pointer from the structure representing the controlling terminal to the calling process' session. If the invoking process then exits, the terminal structure may end up containing a pointer to freed memory. A malicious process can abuse the dangling pointer to grant itself root privileges.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.4 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 89%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2026-04-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): FreeBSD · Vendor: freebsd

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-22 03:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

freebsd freebsd MITIGATE

Affected: 13.5 · 13.5 beta3 · 13.5 p1 · 13.5 p10 · 13.5 p11 · 13.5 p2 · 13.5 p3 · 13.5 p4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.5

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-5398?

freebsd: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-5398 being exploited?

CVE-2026-5398 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-5398 affect?

CVE-2026-5398 affects freebsd. Severity is high (CVSS 8.4). The implementation of TIOCNOTTY failed to clear a back-pointer from the structure representing the controlling terminal to the calling process' session. If the invoking process then exits, the terminal structure may end up containing a poi

How urgent is CVE-2026-5398?

Priority 32/100. High severity

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References

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