CVE-2026-81634

HIGH CVSS 3.1: 7.5 EPSS 0.48%
Updated Sep 23, 2026
Nlnetlabs
Parameter Value
CVSS 7.5 (HIGH)
Affected Versions before 1.26.1
Fixed In 1.26.1
Type CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow)
Vendor Nlnetlabs
Public PoC No

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.

Attack Parameters

Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Privileges Required
None
No privileges needed
User Interaction
None
No user interaction needed

Impact Assessment

Confidentiality
None
No data leak
Integrity
None
No data modification
Availability
High
Complete denial of service

CVSS Vector v3.1

Vulnerable Products 1

Configuration From (including) Up to (excluding)
Nlnetlabs Unbound
cpe:2.3:a:nlnetlabs:unbound:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
— 1.26.1