CVE-2021-45954

Dnsmasq 2.86 has a heap-based buffer overflow in extract_name (called from answer_auth and FuzzAuth)

published December 31, 2021

CVSS
—
EPSS
3%
Percentile
84.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A heap-based buffer overflow lurks in Dnsmasq 2.86, potentially allowing an attacker to mess with your DNS queries! Think of Dnsmasq as a restaurant's order system. If someone can slip a fake order in before the kitchen checks, they might serve up something entirely different — which could derail your entire dining experience! While the vendor claims this may not pose a real threat, a successful exploit could lead to unexpected behavior in DNS resolution, creating confusion and chaos in network traffic. Imagine your devices trying to find their way in a labyrinth of incorrect routing!

Put simply

Think of Dnsmasq as a restaurant's order system. If someone can slip a fake order in before the kitchen checks, they might serve up something entirely different — which could derail your entire dining experience! CVE-2021-45954 occurs when the 'extract_name' function processes data in a way that overflows the memory buffer, which could allow attackers to manipulate the application's behavior.

What to do

While the vendor claims this may not pose a real threat, a successful exploit could lead to unexpected behavior in DNS resolution, creating confusion and chaos in network traffic. Imagine your devices trying to find their way in a labyrinth of incorrect routing! Although the vendor downplays this issue, it's wise to monitor for updates from Dnsmasq and apply patches as they become available. Consider reviewing your DNS configurations and ensuring you have robust security measures in place. You've got this! Keep an eye on developments, and together, let's keep your network safe and sound! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02519 · 84.7th percentile
Published
2021-12-31T23:53Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 31 DEC 23:53Z
    Dnsmasq 2.86 has a heap-based buffer overflow in extract_name (called from answer_auth and FuzzAuth)
    cvelistv5