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
Affects unboundSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 1.4.22-1ubuntu4.14.04.3+esm5 : patch unbound soon.
Data as of 7 Nov 2026, 23:24 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 1.4.22-1ubuntu4.14.04.3+esm5, 1.5.8-1ubuntu1.1+esm5, 1.6.7-1ubuntu2.6+esm6 +4
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 8 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10unboundpkg:deb/ubuntu/unbound?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSunboundpkg:deb/ubuntu/unbound?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSunboundpkg:deb/ubuntu/unbound?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSunboundpkg:deb/ubuntu/unbound?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSunboundpkg:deb/ubuntu/unbound?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTSunboundpkg:deb/ubuntu/unbound?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Red Hat has released official security updates addressing these vulnerabilities. Users should apply the security updates provided in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 and related products as detailed in Red Hat Advisory RHSA-2026:71419. Patch status is confirmed as official-fix available. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the vendor-supplied updates.
Description
Multiple critical vulnerabilities, including a heap buffer overflow and potential remote code execution, have been identified in the unbound DNS resolver packages used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux and related products. These vulnerabilities can be triggered by malicious DNSSEC responses and DNSKEY processing. Red Hat has released security updates addressing these issues.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-81634 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-81634 (opens in a new tab)
- nlnetlabs.nl/downloads/unbound/CVE-2026-81634.txt (opens in a new tab)
- nlnetlabs.nl/downloads/unbound/CVE-2026-81634.txt (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:71419 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/ (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2535051 (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2535054 (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2535059 (opens in a new tab)
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2026/rhsa-2026_71419.json (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:71487 (opens in a new tab)
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2026/rhsa-2026_71487.json (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8946-1 (opens in a new tab)