Severity by source
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H
Unauthenticated remote (PR:N) but AC:H because the attacker must control DNS responses or MITM the device; DoS-only reload gives A:H with C:N/I:N, and a firewall reload affects other systems (S:C).
Primary rating from Vendor (cisco).
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionNVD
A vulnerability in the DNS over TCP implementation of Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause the TCP DNS response handler to unexpectedly restart, causing the device to reload.
This vulnerability is due to a logic error when parsing a DNS query and tracking the size of the incoming buffers. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by formatting a crafted reply to a DNS query sent from the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the device to reload, causing a denial of service (DoS) condition. Note: The attacker must be able to respond to DNS queries from the device, either by controlling the DNS service or through a machine-in-the-middle attack.
AnalysisAI
Cisco Secure Firewall ASA and FTD software contain a logic error in the DNS over TCP response handler that can be triggered by a crafted DNS reply, causing the device to reload and resulting in a denial-of-service condition. The attacker must be able to respond to DNS queries originating from the device-either by controlling the DNS service or via a machine-in-the-middle position-and the device must use DNS over TCP. …
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Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata
Vulnerability AssessmentAI
| Exploitation | Exploitation requires that the ASA/FTD device performs DNS resolution and that the attacker can respond to the DNS queries the device sends - either by controlling the DNS server the device queries or by holding a machine-in-the-middle position on the device's DNS path (explicitly stated in the Cisco note). … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | This is a denial-of-service-only flaw: the CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H, 6.8 Medium) shows no confidentiality or integrity impact - only availability (A:H, full device reload). … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in. |
| Exploit Scenario | Full exploit scenario with step-by-step reproduction available after sign-in. |
| Remediation | Patch status is not confirmed from the provided data; consult the Cisco advisory at https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-tcpdns-dos-p6dUnjr5 for patched software versions. … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
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Same weakness CWE-195 – Signed to Unsigned Conversion Error
View allSame technique Denial Of Service
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-81143
GHSA-qxw6-2w65-g7rg