CVE-2026-26014 in dtls
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2026
Pion DTLS is a Go implementation of Datagram Transport Layer Security. Pion DTLS versions v1.0.0 through v3.0.10 and 3.1.0 use random nonce generation with AES GCM ciphers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain the authentication key and spoof data by leveraging the reuse of a nonce in a session and a "forbidden attack". Upgrade to v3.0.11, v3.1.1, or later.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-26014 affects Pion DTLS, a Go implementation of the Datagram Transport Layer Security protocol that provides secure communication over unreliable networks. This security flaw specifically impacts versions ranging from v1.0.0 through v3.0.10 and 3.1.0, creating a critical weakness in the cryptographic implementation that could be exploited by remote attackers to compromise the security of DTLS sessions. The vulnerability stems from the improper generation of random nonces when utilizing AES GCM ciphers within the DTLS framework, fundamentally undermining the security guarantees that these cryptographic algorithms are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests in the reuse of nonces within AES GCM cipher operations, which represents a severe deviation from cryptographic best practices and established security standards. According to CWE-327, this vulnerability directly relates to the use of weak or predictable nonces in authenticated encryption schemes, where nonce reuse can lead to catastrophic security failures. In AES GCM mode, nonces must be unique for each encryption operation with the same key, and their reuse creates a condition known as a "forbidden attack" that allows attackers to potentially recover the authentication key and forge data without detection. This cryptographic weakness occurs because the random nonce generation mechanism fails to ensure sufficient entropy and uniqueness across different session contexts, making it feasible for attackers to predict or reproduce nonce values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it enables remote attackers to perform sophisticated spoofing operations that can bypass the security mechanisms intended to protect DTLS communications. Attackers can leverage the nonce reuse to reconstruct authentication keys and subsequently forge legitimate-looking data packets, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, data corruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive communications. The implications are particularly severe in environments where DTLS is used for critical communications such as VoIP, IoT device management, or real-time data streaming, where the integrity of transmitted information is paramount. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves the exploitation of weaknesses in cryptographic implementations to gain unauthorized access to systems or data.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Pion DTLS versions v3.0.11, v3.1.1, or later, which contain fixed implementations of the nonce generation mechanism. These updated versions ensure proper random nonce generation that maintains the uniqueness required for AES GCM operations while adhering to established cryptographic standards and best practices. Organizations utilizing affected versions should prioritize immediate deployment of these security patches to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability does not require any special privileges or complex attack vectors to be successfully leveraged by remote adversaries. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing robust random number generation that meets the cryptographic requirements for nonce uniqueness, thereby restoring the security guarantees inherent to the DTLS protocol and AES GCM cipher suites.