PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 zoneToCache null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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3.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 and classified as problematic. The affected element is the function zoneToCache. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-33601. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function zoneToCache. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

If you use the zoneToCache function with a malicious authoritative server, an attacker can send a zone that result in a null pointer dereference, caused by a missing consistency check and leading to a denial of service.

The weakness was disclosed by ylwango613. The advisory is shared at docs.powerdns.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-33601 since 03/23/2026. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 5.2.9, 5.3.6 or 5.4.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-1225). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source PowerDNS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 3.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 3.2

VulDB Base Score: 2.2
VulDB Temp Score: 2.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 4.4
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Recursor 5.2.9/5.3.6/5.4.1

Timelineinfo

03/23/2026 CVE reserved
04/22/2026 +29 days Advisory disclosed
04/22/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/03/2026 +11 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: docs.powerdns.com
Researcher: ylwango613
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-33601 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-33601
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-358837
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-1225 - PowerDNS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 04/22/2026 13:28
Updated: 05/03/2026 23:38
Changes: 04/22/2026 13:28 (65), 05/03/2026 23:38 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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