CVE-2026-58160 in Traffic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2026
Apache Traffic Server reads out of bounds while parsing DNS answers.
This issue affects Apache Traffic Server: from 8.0.0 through 8.1.9, from 9.0.0 through 9.2.14, from 10.0.0 through 10.1.3.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 9.2.15 or 10.1.4, which fix the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within Apache Traffic Server's DNS parsing functionality that could enable remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The flaw manifests when the software processes DNS responses containing malformed or specially crafted answers, causing memory access violations beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read errors in memory management operations. The affected versions span multiple release branches including 8.x through 9.2.14 and 10.x through 10.1.3, indicating a widespread issue that impacts organizations relying on these traffic management systems for content delivery and web proxy services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the DNS resolution process where Apache Traffic Server parses response packets from DNS servers without proper bounds checking on the received data. When processing certain malformed DNS answers, the parsing routine attempts to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially accessing uninitialized memory or memory belonging to other processes. This behavior can be exploited by attackers who control DNS servers or have the ability to inject malicious responses into DNS traffic, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where DNS spoofing is possible. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it could potentially allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the traffic server process. This risk is particularly elevated in environments where Apache Traffic Server operates with elevated permissions or when the system serves as a critical component in content delivery networks. Organizations using affected versions may experience service disruptions, unauthorized access attempts, or complete system compromise depending on the attacker's capabilities and the specific deployment configuration. The vulnerability affects core traffic management functionality, making it a high-priority issue for enterprises relying on Apache Traffic Server for web proxy services, caching, and load balancing operations.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate upgrades to version 9.2.15 or 10.1.4, which contain the necessary patches addressing the out-of-bounds read condition through proper input validation and buffer boundary checks. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as DNS security extensions dnssec validation and monitoring for suspicious DNS traffic patterns. Additional defensive measures include restricting DNS server access to trusted sources, implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors, and establishing robust monitoring protocols to detect unusual memory access patterns or service disruptions. System administrators should conduct thorough testing of the updated versions in staging environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing configurations and avoid unintended service interruptions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security practices for enterprise traffic management systems.