CVE-2026-5172
What it is
A buffer overflow in dnsmasq’s extract_addresses() function allows an attacker to trigger a heap out-of-bounds read and crash by exploiting a malformed DNS response, enabling extract_name() to advance the pointer past the record’s end.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.
- Exploit odds
- 2.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 2.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.3 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 2.7% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-125 · Out-of-bounds read
- Record status
- Awaiting Analysis
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.3
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- Low
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-5172.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-5172. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519082
- https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519093
- https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL/releases/tag/v6.6.2
References
- https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519082
- https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519093
- https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL/releases/tag/v6.6.2
- https://lists.thekelleys.org.uk/pipermail/dnsmasq-discuss/2026q2/018471.html
- https://thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq/CVE/
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/471747
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19158
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-5172
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2458521
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-5172.json