dnsmasq dnsmasq-utils 2.79-1 dhcp_release stack-based overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in dnsmasq dnsmasq-utils 2.79-1. This issue affects the function dhcp_release. Executing a manipulation can lead to stack-based overflow. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2020-37127. The attack can only be executed locally. Furthermore, there is an exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in dnsmasq dnsmasq-utils 2.79-1 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function dhcp_release. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a stack-based overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-121. A stack-based buffer overflow condition is a condition where the buffer being overwritten is allocated on the stack (i.e., is a local variable or, rarely, a parameter to a function). As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Dnsmasq-utils 2.79-1 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability in the dhcp_release utility that allows attackers to cause a denial of service by supplying excessive input. Attackers can trigger a core dump and terminate the dhcp_release process by sending a crafted input string longer than 16 characters.

The weakness was shared by Josue Encinar as 48301. The advisory is shared for download at exploit-db.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2020-37127 since 02/03/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298154 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2020-37127), 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 databases at Tenable (298154) and EUVD (EUVD-2020-31023). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 5.5
CNA Vector (VulnCheck): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Stack-based overflow
CWE: CWE-121 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔒

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 298154
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2020-37127

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

02/03/2026 CVE reserved
02/05/2026 +2 days Advisory disclosed
02/05/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/06/2026 +1 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 48301
Researcher: Josue Encinar
Status: Not defined

CVE: CVE-2020-37127 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-37127
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-344524
EUVD: 🔒
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 02/05/2026 17:58
Updated: 02/06/2026 11:40
Changes: 02/05/2026 17:58 (80), 02/06/2026 06:34 (7), 02/06/2026 09:39 (1), 02/06/2026 11:40 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Do you want to use VulDB in your project?

Use the official API to access entries easily!