CVE-2026-69184: C ares · Prior to 1.34.7, ares_dns_name_parse() enforces backward DNS compression pointers but does
Affects c-aresSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 1.10.0-3ubuntu0.2+esm4 : patch c-ares soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 41% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 1.10.0-3ubuntu0.2+esm4, 1.14.0-1ubuntu0.2+esm3, 1.15.0-1ubuntu0.5+esm1 +3
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 18 Sep 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 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSc-arespkg:deb/ubuntu/c-ares?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSc-arespkg:deb/ubuntu/c-ares?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSc-arespkg:deb/ubuntu/c-ares?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSc-arespkg:deb/ubuntu/c-ares?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTSc-arespkg:deb/ubuntu/c-ares?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTSc-arespkg:deb/ubuntu/c-ares?arch=source&distro=esm-infra-legacy/xenialOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
c-ares is an asynchronous resolver library. Prior to 1.34.7, ares_dns_name_parse() enforces backward DNS compression pointers but does not bound the total pointer hops or assembled name length. A malicious DNS server can send a response containing a long descending pointer chain and many resource records whose NAME or RDATA fields refer to the chain, causing repeated decompression work that grows quadratically with message size. A single crafted response can stall the single-threaded c-ares event loop and deny DNS resolution, without causing memory corruption or information disclosure. This issue is fixed in version 1.34.7.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-69184 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-69184 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/06/8 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/c-ares/c-ares/security/advisories/GHSA-pjmc-gx33-gc76 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8951-1 (opens in a new tab)