CVE-2026-2291
dnsmasqs extract_name() function can be abused to cause a heap buffer overflow, allowing an attacker to inject false DNS cache entries, which could result in DNS lookups to redirect to an attacker-controlled IP address, or to cause a DoS.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.61%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
dnsmasqs extract_name() function can be abused to cause a heap buffer overflow, allowing an attacker to inject false DNS cache entries, which could result in DNS lookups to redirect to an attacker-controlled IP address, or to cause a DoS.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.3 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
- EPSS
- 0.61% probability · 47th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Source
- cret@cert.org
References
- https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519082
- https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/519093
- https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL/releases/tag/v6.6.2
- https://lists.thekelleys.org.uk/pipermail/dnsmasq-discuss/2026q2/018471.html
- https://thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq/CVE/
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/471747
- https://www.suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-2291.html
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/20/14
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.