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
CVE-2026-35520 is an OS command injection vulnerability in Pi-hole's FTL engine affecting versions 6.0 through 6.5. The flaw exists in the handling of the DHCP lease time configuration parameter (dhcp.leaseTime), where an authenticated user can inject newline characters to insert arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-78, CWE-93) enables remote code execution on the host system. The vulnerability is resolved in Pi-hole FTL version 6.6.
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 is 8.8, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
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 administration interface is restricted to trusted users. Patch status is confirmed fixed in version 6.6; no other official remediation level is provided.
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
CVE-2026-35520 is an OS command injection vulnerability in Pi-hole's FTL engine affecting versions 6.0 through 6.5. The flaw exists in the handling of the DHCP lease time configuration parameter (dhcp.leaseTime), where an authenticated user can inject newline characters to insert arbitrary dnsmasq configuration directives. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-78, CWE-93) enables remote code execution on the host system. The vulnerability is resolved in Pi-hole FTL version 6.6.
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 is 8.8, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
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 administration interface is restricted to trusted users. 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: 69d52a46aaed68159a30f8a1
Added to database: 4/7/2026, 4:01:10 PM
Last enriched: 4/7/2026, 4:16:55 PM
Last updated: 4/8/2026, 12:41:56 AM
Views: 3
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