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Dnsmasq CVE-2017-14495

HIGH
Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime (CWE-772)
2017-10-03 cve@mitre.org
Denial Of Service Debian Red Hat Canonical Debian Linux Enterprise Linux Desktop Enterprise Linux Server Enterprise Linux Workstation Ubuntu Linux Dnsmasq Thekelleys
7.5
CVSS 3.0 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-772
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Resource cleanup on lifecycle end
Impact

CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). 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: 53.32%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: HIGH severity + EPSS > 10%.
Patch available 53.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

Memory leak in dnsmasq before 2.78, when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-subnet option is specified, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 53.3%.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-772. Memory leak in dnsmasq before 2.78, when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-subnet option is specified, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via vectors involving DNS response creation. Affected products include: Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, Redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation. 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

NVD PRIMARY 7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Memory leak in dnsmasq before 2.78, when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-subnet option is specified, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via vectors involving DNS response creation.

Threat Intelligence Overview

Threat Score
4.6/10
Composite threat intelligence
EPSS Score
53.3%
Top 2% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium
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.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 53.3%
Patch available Yes
Active threat Yes
Deciding rule
HIGH severity + EPSS > 10%
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

111
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +53
CVSS: +38
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Denial of Service MEDIUM

Denial of Service attacks render applications or systems unavailable by overwhelming resources or triggering failure conditions.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:thekelleys:dnsmasq:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-772 – Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime

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CVE-2018-19760 HIGH POC
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Same technique Denial Of Service

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CVE-2012-0507 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2014-1761 HIGH POC
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References

Advisories & patches
PATCH https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2836 ADVISORY http://thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq/CHANGELOG REF http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2017-10/msg00006.html REF http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4561 REF http://thekelleys.org.uk/gitweb/?p=dnsmasq.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=51eadb692a5123b9838e5a68ecace3ac579a3a45 REF http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2017-005.txt REF http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3989 REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101085 REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101977 REF http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039474 REF http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3430-1 REF http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3430-2 REF https://access.redhat.com/security/vulnerabilities/3199382 REF https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-689071.pdf REF https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-27 REF https://security.googleblog.com/2017/10/behind-masq-yet-more-dns-and-dhcp.html REF https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/973527 REF https://www.mail-archive.com/dnsmasq-discuss%40lists.thekelleys.org.uk/msg11664.html REF https://www.mail-archive.com/dnsmasq-discuss%40lists.thekelleys.org.uk/msg11665.html REF https://www.synology.com/support/security/Synology_SA_17_59_Dnsmasq

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