PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality. This manipulation causes denial of service. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-33261. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown functionality. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

A zone transition from NSEC to NSEC3 might trigger an internal inconsistency and cause a denial of service.

The weakness was presented by ylwango613. It is possible to read the advisory at docs.powerdns.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-33261 since 03/18/2026. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

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

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: 4.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.7

VulDB Base Score: 3.7
VulDB Temp Score: 3.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 5.9
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Denial of service
CWE: 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

03/18/2026 CVE reserved
04/22/2026 +34 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-2026-33261 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-33261
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-358843
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-1225 - PowerDNS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 04/22/2026 13:29
Updated: 05/03/2026 20:14
Changes: 04/22/2026 13:29 (30), 04/22/2026 13:30 (34), 05/03/2026 20:14 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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