CVE-2026-35520: 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 DHCP lease time configuration parameter (dhcp.leaseTime). 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 have a remote code execution vulnerability in the DHCP lease time configuration parameter (dhcp.leaseTime). This parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an authenticated user to inject newline characters that introduce arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives. This injection leads to execution of commands on the host system. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-35520 and 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 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability with network attack vector and low attack complexity but requiring privileges (authenticated user).
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 tightly controlled. Patch status is not explicitly stated in the vendor advisory content provided, but the description confirms the issue is fixed in version 6.6. Therefore, applying this official fix is the recommended remediation.
CVE-2026-35520: 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 DHCP lease time configuration parameter (dhcp.leaseTime). 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 have a remote code execution vulnerability in the DHCP lease time configuration parameter (dhcp.leaseTime). This parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an authenticated user to inject newline characters that introduce arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives. This injection leads to execution of commands on the host system. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-35520 and 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 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability with network attack vector and low attack complexity but requiring privileges (authenticated user).
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 tightly controlled. Patch status is not explicitly stated in the vendor advisory content provided, but the description confirms the issue is fixed in version 6.6. Therefore, applying this official fix is the recommended remediation.
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: 69d52a46aaed68159a30f8a1
Added to database: 4/7/2026, 4:01:10 PM
Last enriched: 4/15/2026, 12:31:12 PM
Last updated: 5/22/2026, 6:06:34 PM
Views: 30
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