CVE-2026-35517: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in pi-hole FTL
FTLDNS (pihole-FTL) provides an interactive API and also generates statistics for Pi-hole's Web interface. From 6.0 to before 6.6, the Pi-hole FTL engine contains a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the upstream DNS servers configuration parameter (dns.upstreams). This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives through newline characters, ultimately achieving command execution on the underlying system. This vulnerability is fixed in 6.6.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The Pi-hole FTL engine (FTLDNS) versions 6.0 through 6.5 inclusive have a remote code execution vulnerability in the dns.upstreams configuration parameter. This parameter is used to specify upstream DNS servers, but improper neutralization of special elements allows an authenticated user to inject newline characters, enabling arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives to be inserted. This injection can lead to execution of arbitrary commands on the host system. The vulnerability is fixed in version 6.6 of Pi-hole FTL.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system hosting Pi-hole FTL. This can lead to full system compromise, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability with network attack vector and low attack complexity requiring privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Pi-hole FTL to version 6.6 or later where this vulnerability is fixed. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, ensure that access to the Pi-hole administrative interface is properly restricted. Patch status is confirmed fixed in version 6.6; no other official remediation level is provided.
CVE-2026-35517: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in pi-hole FTL
Description
FTLDNS (pihole-FTL) provides an interactive API and also generates statistics for Pi-hole's Web interface. From 6.0 to before 6.6, the Pi-hole FTL engine contains a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the upstream DNS servers configuration parameter (dns.upstreams). This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives through newline characters, ultimately achieving command execution on the underlying system. This vulnerability is fixed in 6.6.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The Pi-hole FTL engine (FTLDNS) versions 6.0 through 6.5 inclusive have a remote code execution vulnerability in the dns.upstreams configuration parameter. This parameter is used to specify upstream DNS servers, but improper neutralization of special elements allows an authenticated user to inject newline characters, enabling arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives to be inserted. This injection can lead to execution of arbitrary commands on the host system. The vulnerability is fixed in version 6.6 of Pi-hole FTL.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system hosting Pi-hole FTL. This can lead to full system compromise, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability with network attack vector and low attack complexity requiring privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Pi-hole FTL to version 6.6 or later where this vulnerability is fixed. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, ensure that access to the Pi-hole administrative interface is properly restricted. Patch status is confirmed fixed in version 6.6; no other official remediation level is provided.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-03T02:15:39.280Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 69d52344aaed68159a2ec621
Added to database: 4/7/2026, 3:31:16 PM
Last enriched: 4/7/2026, 3:46:18 PM
Last updated: 4/7/2026, 11:54:14 PM
Views: 6
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