PowerDNS Recursor up to 4.3.0 SOA SyncRes::processAnswer Response input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 4.3.0. This affects the function SyncRes::processAnswer of the component SOA Handler. Performing a manipulation as part of Response results in input validation. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2020-12244. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 4.3.0 (Domain Name Software). It has been classified as critical. This affects the function SyncRes::processAnswer of the component SOA Handler. The manipulation as part of a Response leads to a input validation vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

An issue has been found in PowerDNS Recursor 4.1.0 through 4.3.0 where records in the answer section of a NXDOMAIN response lacking an SOA were not properly validated in SyncRes::processAnswer, allowing an attacker to bypass DNSSEC validation.

The weakness was disclosed 05/19/2020 (oss-sec). It is possible to read the advisory at openwall.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2020-12244 since 04/24/2020. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 246882 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2020-12244), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (246882). The entry VDB-155423 is pretty similar. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 246882
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2020-12244

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

04/24/2020 🔍
05/19/2020 +25 days 🔍
05/20/2020 +1 days 🔍
08/10/2025 +1908 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: openwall.com
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2020-12244 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-12244
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-155427
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 05/20/2020 06:21
Updated: 08/10/2025 18:12
Changes: 05/20/2020 06:21 (41), 05/20/2020 06:26 (18), 08/10/2025 18:12 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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