PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.11/5.3.8/5.4.3 DNSSEC Validation authentication bypass

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k4.26

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.11/5.3.8/5.4.3. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component DNSSEC Validation. The manipulation results in authentication bypass. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-52686. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.11/5.3.8/5.4.3. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown functionality of the component DNSSEC Validation. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a authentication bypass vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-288. A product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The issue is a DNSSEC validation bypass where wildcard expansion proofs (NSEC/NSEC3 records) are accepted without signature validation when the wildcard answer is a CNAME or DNAME record.

The advisory is shared for download at docs.powerdns.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-52686 since 06/08/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

Upgrading to version 5.2.12, 5.3.9 or 5.4.4 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Authentication bypass
CWE: CWE-288 / CWE-287
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
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 5.2.12/5.3.9/5.4.4

Timelineinfo

06/08/2026 CVE reserved
07/23/2026 +45 days Advisory disclosed
07/23/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
07/23/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: docs.powerdns.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-52686 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-52686
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-382488

Entryinfo

Created: 07/23/2026 10:42
Changes: 07/23/2026 10:42 (55)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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