High [CVE-2026-8925] Double-free vulnerability in SASL authentication

The curl logic that works with SASL authentication could end up cleaning up the GSASL context *twice* without clearing the pointer in between, making it `free()` the same pointer twice. A flaw was found in curl.

The logic handling SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) authentication could lead to a double-free vulnerability. This occurs because the GSASL context may be deallocated twice without clearing the pointer, potentially leading to memory corruption.

An attacker could exploit this to cause a denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code. This Important flaw in curl's SASL authentication logic could lead to a double-free vulnerability, potentially resulting in memory corruption, denial of service, or arbitrary code execution.

The impact is significant as curl is a widely used utility in Red Hat environments, and SASL authentication is a common enterprise configuration. Exploitation requires an attacker to interact with a service utilizing the vulnerable SASL authentication within curl.

Exploitation of this flaw requires controlling which memory is addressed in the second free call and this is unlikely to be possible. Red Hat severity: Important — CVSS 8.1 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Weakness: CWE-1341. Affected Red Hat products: Red Hat Hardened Images.