CVE-2026-24028 Out-of-bounds read when parsing DNS packets via Lua

Medium 5.3 Published 31 Mar 2026 Updated 31 Mar 2026

Attackers can cause crashes or leak memory by sending crafted DNS packets to PowerDNS DNSdist when custom Lua code parses them.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2026-24028?

CVE-2026-24028 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in PowerDNS DNSdist, published on 31 Mar 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

An attacker might be able to trigger an out-of-bounds read by sending a crafted DNS response packet, when custom Lua code uses newDNSPacketOverlay to parse DNS packets. The out-of-bounds read might trigger a crash, leading to a denial of service, or access unrelated memory, leading to potential information disclosure.

Weakness: CWE-126

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-24028?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Powerdns Dnsdist.

How do I fix CVE-2026-24028?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2026-24028 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-24028 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-24028, GHSA-q26r-j393-x8vq, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-24028.