CVE-2026-81634: NLnet Labs Unbound · Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Affects NLnet Labs UnboundSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High : upgrade to 1.26.1 soon.
Data as of 31 Oct 2026, 08:20 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 1.26.1
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 16 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 30 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade NLnet Labs Unbound to 1.26.1.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| NLnet LabsUnbound | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
A fix is available in Unbound version 1.26.1. Users should upgrade to version 1.26.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigation guidance is provided by the vendor advisory.
Description
In NLnet Labs Unbound up to and including 1.26.0, a 255 length query name with a large TCP response can lead to a heap buffer overflow during the RRSet canonicalisation routine. This is caused by missing to add the first owner name into the buffer length check. A malicious actor operating a malicious name server or tampering with an incoming response to Unbound (canonicalisation happens before DNSSEC validation), can trigger the vulnerability.