FreeCAD/FreeCAD
FreeCAD Issues Security Fixes in 1.1.4 and Publishes Latest Weekly Development Builds
FreeCAD, the open-source 3D parametric modeler popular among engineers and designers, has released version 1.1.4 addressing critical security vulnerabilities and several bug fixes. Alongside this, the project continues to provide weekly development builds for users interested in testing the latest features and fixes.
About FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open-source 3D parametric modeling software widely used by engineers, designers, and hobbyists for creating precise and adjustable 3D models. Its parametric nature allows users to modify designs by changing parameters, making it a flexible tool for various applications including mechanical engineering, architecture, and product design. The project is actively developed on GitHub, with a community that tests and contributes to its ongoing improvement.
FreeCAD 1.1.4: Security and Maintenance Update
On September 28, 2026, FreeCAD released version 1.1.4, the final planned maintenance update in the 1.1.x series. This release is significant primarily because it addresses two security vulnerabilities related to file handling. These vulnerabilities could be exploited by opening maliciously crafted FCStd files, a common file format used by FreeCAD. The issues affect all previously released versions, making this update critical for all users, especially those who open files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Beyond security, 1.1.4 includes numerous bug fixes and improvements across various components:
- Performance enhancements such as improved FPS label rendering.
- Fixes to GUI elements including visibility icons and toolbar state persistence.
- Corrections in the TechDraw workbench, like precise surface finish symbol placement and hatch color fixes.
- Stability improvements in BIM and Draft workbenches.
- Prevention of ZipSlip vulnerabilities in FEM and VRML texture loading.
- Various other fixes addressing regressions, crashes, and user interface issues.
The release assets include signed builds for Windows and macOS, ensuring authenticity and security for users.
Weekly Development Builds: weekly-2026.09.30 and weekly-2026.10.01
In addition to stable releases, FreeCAD provides weekly development builds, which are intended for testing new bug fixes, regressions, and recently implemented features. These builds are labeled as "bleeding edge" and are not recommended for production use.
The weekly releases published on September 30 and October 1, 2026, continue this practice. They are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms, distributed as executables, app bundles, or AppImages respectively. Users interested in testing or contributing to FreeCAD’s development can download these builds, unpack them, and run the application directly without installation.
These weekly builds help the FreeCAD community identify issues early and contribute to the software’s stability and feature set before changes are incorporated into stable releases.
Community and Support
FreeCAD’s active community discusses issues and developments on forums and GitHub. Some users have reported difficulties launching certain weekly builds, which is typical for development versions as they may introduce regressions or incompatibilities. The developers encourage users to report bugs and contribute to improving the software.
Conclusion
FreeCAD 1.1.4 is a crucial update for users, addressing security concerns and improving overall stability and usability. Meanwhile, the ongoing weekly development builds provide a glimpse into the project’s evolving features and fixes, supporting an engaged user and developer base. Users should prioritize upgrading to 1.1.4 for safety and consider testing weekly builds if they wish to participate in the software’s development cycle.
How to Download
- Stable release 1.1.4 and weekly builds can be found on the FreeCAD GitHub releases page.
- Windows and macOS builds are signed by The FreeCAD project association AISBL.
- Weekly builds are available as executables for Windows, app bundles for macOS, and AppImages for Linux.
References
- Full changelog for 1.1.4: https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/compare/1.1.3...1.1.4
- Weekly 2026.09.30 changes: https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/compare/weekly-2026.09.23...weekly-2026.09.30
- Weekly 2026.10.01 changes: https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/compare/weekly-2026.09.30...weekly-2026.10.01