CVE-2021-45952Network attack vector

Heap overflow via undersized fuzz-harness buffer

Published Dec 31, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

A reported heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq 2.86 allows remote attackers to corrupt memory during DHCP reply processing. In dhcp_reply, clear_packet writes for the full packet-structure size, but the triggering OSS-Fuzz harness allocated only a fixed 300-byte buffer. The vendor states that production dhcp_common_init always allocates the complete structure, so it disputes any reachable product flaw; Red Hat closed the report as NOTABUG, and Ubuntu and Debian classify shipped packages as unaffected.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A reported heap-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq 2.86 allows remote attackers to corrupt memory during DHCP reply processing. In dhcp_reply, clear_packet writes for the full packet-structure size, but the triggering OSS-Fuzz harness allocated only a fixed 300-byte buffer. The vendor states that production dhcp_common_init always allocates the complete structure, so it disputes any reachable product flaw; Red Hat closed the report as NOTABUG, and Ubuntu and Debian classify shipped packages as unaffected.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45952
Published
Dec 31, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 31, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.5SUSECVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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