GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5 hickory-resolver follows irrelevant CNAME records

Not scored Published

The Hickory DNS resolver library sends unnecessary queries for irrelevant CNAME records, enabling query amplification and potential denial of service.

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

What is GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5?

GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5 is a denial of service vulnerability in hickory-resolver, published on 5 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

When the Hickory DNS resolver follows CNAME records, it sends queries that are not necessary to answer the original recursive query. If there are any CNAME records in the authority section or additional section of the response, queries will be sent for those names. If there are any CNAME records that are not part of a CNAME chain starting from the original recursive query name, queries will be sent for those names. This increases query amplification beyond what is necessary to answer the recursive query.

Which versions are affected by GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including hickory-resolver.

PackageAffectedFixed in
hickory-resolver crates.ioFrom 0.25.00.26.2
hickory-resolver crates.ioFrom 0.25.00.26.2

How do I fix GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5?

Upgrade hickory-resolver to 0.26.2 or later.

Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.

Is GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6f2x-v7q7-m7m5 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

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