CVE-2026-27854: Use After Free in PowerDNS DNSdist
An attacker might be able to trigger a use-after-free by sending crafted DNS queries to a DNSdist using the DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions method in custom Lua code. In some cases DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions might refer to a version of the DNS packet that has been modified, thus triggering a use-after-free and potentially a crash resulting in denial of service.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in PowerDNS DNSdist (versions 1.9.0 and 2.0.0) triggered by specially crafted DNS queries interacting with the DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions method in custom Lua scripts. The method may reference a modified DNS packet version, leading to memory being accessed after it has been freed. This can cause the DNSdist service to crash, resulting in denial of service. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.8, indicating medium severity with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, low confidentiality impact, no integrity impact, and low availability impact.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can cause DNSdist to crash, resulting in denial of service. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are low or none. There are no known active exploits in the wild. The impact is limited to service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, avoid using custom Lua code that calls DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions with untrusted input. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once released.
CVE-2026-27854: Use After Free in PowerDNS DNSdist
Description
An attacker might be able to trigger a use-after-free by sending crafted DNS queries to a DNSdist using the DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions method in custom Lua code. In some cases DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions might refer to a version of the DNS packet that has been modified, thus triggering a use-after-free and potentially a crash resulting in denial of service.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in PowerDNS DNSdist (versions 1.9.0 and 2.0.0) triggered by specially crafted DNS queries interacting with the DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions method in custom Lua scripts. The method may reference a modified DNS packet version, leading to memory being accessed after it has been freed. This can cause the DNSdist service to crash, resulting in denial of service. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.8, indicating medium severity with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, low confidentiality impact, no integrity impact, and low availability impact.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can cause DNSdist to crash, resulting in denial of service. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are low or none. There are no known active exploits in the wild. The impact is limited to service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, avoid using custom Lua code that calls DNSQuestion:getEDNSOptions with untrusted input. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once released.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- OX
- Date Reserved
- 2026-02-24T08:46:09.373Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69cbbcb5e6bfc5ba1d1244f6
Added to database: 3/31/2026, 12:23:17 PM
Last enriched: 4/8/2026, 12:02:25 AM
Last updated: 5/15/2026, 5:41:57 AM
Views: 71
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