CVE-2021-45957

Dnsmasq 2.86 has a heap-based buffer overflow in answer_request (called from FuzzAnswerTheRequest and fuzz_rfc1035.c)

published December 31, 2021

CVSS
—
EPSS
2%
Percentile
83.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A heap-based buffer overflow lurking in Dnsmasq 2.86 could potentially open the door to some unwelcome surprises! Think of it like a kitchen overflowing with ingredients — if a chef isn't careful, they might spill unsafe stuff onto the floor, making it hazardous for everyone. In this case, the buffer overflow could allow malicious data to corrupt memory and cause unpredictable behavior. If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or service disruptions, creating chaos in the DNS resolution process. Imagine your network suddenly becoming unreliable, like trying to navigate a city with missing street signs!

Put simply

Think of it like a kitchen overflowing with ingredients — if a chef isn't careful, they might spill unsafe stuff onto the floor, making it hazardous for everyone. In this case, the buffer overflow could allow malicious data to corrupt memory and cause unpredictable behavior. This vulnerability occurs in the answer_request function, where the heap-based buffer overflow can be triggered by specially crafted DNS queries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or crashes.

What to do

If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or service disruptions, creating chaos in the DNS resolution process. Imagine your network suddenly becoming unreliable, like trying to navigate a city with missing street signs! To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to update Dnsmasq to the latest version as soon as possible. Additionally, consider implementing monitoring for DNS query anomalies to catch any suspicious activity early. You've got this! Stay vigilant and keep your systems updated to maintain security hero status! 🦸‍♂️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02381 · 83.8th percentile
Published
2021-12-31T23:53Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 31 DEC 23:53Z
    Dnsmasq 2.86 has a heap-based buffer overflow in answer_request (called from FuzzAnswerTheRequest and fuzz_rfc1035.c)
    cvelistv5