dnsmasq · Heap-based Out-of-bounds Write Vulnerability Exists
Affects dnsmasqSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.8% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 56% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 11 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Red Hatredhat/dnsmasqpkg:rpm/redhat/dnsmasqOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Red Hat has released official security updates for dnsmasq that address CVE-2026-4892 along with other related vulnerabilities. Users of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 should apply the dnsmasq package updates provided in advisories RHSA-2026:19158 and RHSA-2026:19373. Detailed update instructions are available at https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258. Applying these updates fully mitigates the vulnerability. No additional immediate actions are required beyond patching.
Description
A heap-based out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the DHCPv6 implementation of dnsmasq, allowing local attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges via crafted DHCPv6 packets. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-4892 and is part of multiple security issues addressed in recent dnsmasq updates. Red Hat has released security advisories providing patches for affected Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 versions. The vulnerability has a high severity rating and a CVSS vector indicating local attack complexity with no privileges required and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-4892 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519082 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519093 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19158 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19373 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20589 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:34508 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-4892 (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2458518 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/pi-hole/FTL/releases/tag/v6.6.2 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.thekelleys.org.uk/pipermail/dnsmasq-discuss/2026q2/018471.html (opens in a new tab)
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-4892.json (opens in a new tab)
- thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq (opens in a new tab)
- thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq/CVE (opens in a new tab)
- kb.cert.org/vuls/id/471747 (opens in a new tab)