Dnsmasq
CVE-2017-14491
CRITICAL
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Bounds checking, write limits
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Execution, Privilege Escalation The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 57.79%. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker could write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. |
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Alert meAnalysisAI
Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted DNS response. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 57.8%.
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Validate write boundaries, use memory-safe languages, enable compiler protections (ASLR, stack canaries).
Affects your stack
Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787), which allows attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes. Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted DNS response. Affected products include: Thekelleys Dnsmasq, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, Redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation, Canonical Ubuntu Linux. Version information: before 2.78.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionCVE.org
Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted DNS response.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Exploit-DB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.
Memory corruption occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions or accesses memory in unintended ways, violating the integrity of the process's address space.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
Denial of Service attacks render applications or systems unavailable by overwhelming resources or triggering failure conditions.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execut
In dnsmasq before 2.78, if the DNS packet size does not match the expected size, the size parameter in a memset call get
Memory leak in dnsmasq before 2.78, when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-subnet option is specified, allows remote
Integer underflow in the add_pseudoheader function in dnsmasq before 2.78 , when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-su
Stack-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execu
dnsmasq before 2.78, when configured as a relay, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive memory information via vect
Improper bounds checking in Dnsmasq before 2.76 allows an attacker controlled DNS server to send large DNS packets that
The tcp_request function in Dnsmasq before 2.73rc4 does not properly handle the return value of the setup_reply function
Dnsmasq before 2.66test2, when used with certain libvirt configurations, replies to queries from prohibited interfaces,
Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq's DHCPv6 implementation enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code with roo
A flaw was found in dnsmasq in versions before 2.85. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely ex
Remote unauthenticated attackers can crash dnsmasq DNS servers via crafted packets exploiting DNSSEC validation logic. T
GitHub PoC