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Dnsmasq CVE-2021-3448

MEDIUM
Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard (CWE-358)
2021-04-08 secalert@redhat.com
4.0
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V12 - Secure Communication Improperly implemented security check
Impact

CVSS score of 4.0 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the medium-severity affected system.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 2.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

A flaw was found in dnsmasq in versions before 2.85. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available.

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.

Affects your stack

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-358. A flaw was found in dnsmasq in versions before 2.85. When configured to use a specific server for a given network interface, dnsmasq uses a fixed port while forwarding queries. An attacker on the network, able to find the outgoing port used by dnsmasq, only needs to guess the random transmission ID to forge a reply and get it accepted by dnsmasq. This flaw makes a DNS Cache Poisoning attack much easier. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data integrity. Affected products include: Thekelleys Dnsmasq, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Fedoraproject Fedora, Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Network Function Cloud Native Environment. Version information: before 2.85..

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 4.0 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

DescriptionNVD

A flaw was found in dnsmasq in versions before 2.85. When configured to use a specific server for a given network interface, dnsmasq uses a fixed port while forwarding queries. An attacker on the network, able to find the outgoing port used by dnsmasq, only needs to guess the random transmission ID to forge a reply and get it accepted by dnsmasq. This flaw makes a DNS Cache Poisoning attack much easier. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data integrity.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
2.0%
Top 22% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
2 sources
Confidence: Low

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 MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 2.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
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
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

42
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +2
CVSS: +20
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:thekelleys:dnsmasq:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_network_function_cloud_native_environment:1.9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
CVE-2017-14492 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Oct 03

Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execut

CVE-2017-14491 CRITICAL POC
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Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execut

CVE-2017-13704 HIGH
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In dnsmasq before 2.78, if the DNS packet size does not match the expected size, the size parameter in a memset call get

CVE-2017-14495 HIGH POC
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Memory leak in dnsmasq before 2.78, when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-subnet option is specified, allows remote

CVE-2017-14496 HIGH POC
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Integer underflow in the add_pseudoheader function in dnsmasq before 2.78 , when the --add-mac, --add-cpe-id or --add-su

CVE-2017-14493 CRITICAL POC
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Stack-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execu

CVE-2017-14494 MEDIUM POC
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dnsmasq before 2.78, when configured as a relay, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive memory information via vect

CVE-2019-14513 HIGH POC
7.5 Aug 01

Improper bounds checking in Dnsmasq before 2.76 allows an attacker controlled DNS server to send large DNS packets that

CVE-2015-3294 MEDIUM POC
6.4 May 08

The tcp_request function in Dnsmasq before 2.73rc4 does not properly handle the return value of the setup_reply function

CVE-2013-0198 MEDIUM POC
5.0 Mar 05

Dnsmasq before 2.66test2, when used with certain libvirt configurations, replies to queries from prohibited interfaces,

CVE-2026-4892 HIGH
8.4 May 11

Heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq's DHCPv6 implementation enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code with roo

CVE-2026-4890 HIGH
7.5 May 11

Remote unauthenticated attackers can crash dnsmasq DNS servers via crafted packets exploiting DNSSEC validation logic. T

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