PowerDNS Authoritative up to 4.9.14/5.0.4 AXFR command injection

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.
5.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in PowerDNS Authoritative up to 4.9.14/5.0.4. It has been rated as problematic. Affected is an unknown function of the component AXFR Handler. Performing a manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-42000. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PowerDNS Authoritative up to 4.9.14/5.0.4. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown function of the component AXFR Handler. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-77. The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on integrity.

The weakness was released by ilhamaf. The advisory is shared at docs.powerdns.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-42000 since 04/23/2026. The exploitability is told to be difficult. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1202 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 315941 (Debian dsa-6284 : pdns-backend-bind - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.9.15 or 5.0.5 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (315941) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-1625). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • 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: 5.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.2

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

CNA Base Score: 6.8
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Command injection
CWE: CWE-77 / CWE-74 / CWE-707
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 315941
Nessus Name: Debian dsa-6284 : pdns-backend-bind - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Authoritative 4.9.15/5.0.5

Timelineinfo

04/23/2026 CVE reserved
05/21/2026 +28 days Advisory disclosed
05/21/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/24/2026 +3 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

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

CVE: CVE-2026-42000 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-42000
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-365001
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-1625 - PowerDNS Authoritative Server: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 05/21/2026 12:53
Updated: 05/24/2026 05:39
Changes: 05/21/2026 12:53 (62), 05/21/2026 13:03 (2), 05/21/2026 18:37 (7), 05/24/2026 05:39 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

Want to stay up to date on a daily basis?

Enable the mail alert feature now!