CVE-2026-33601 | PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 zoneToCache null pointer dereference

VDB-358837 · CVE-2026-33601 · GCVE-0-2026-33601 POWERDNS RECURSOR UP TO 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 ZONETOCACHE NULL POINTER DEREFERENCE HISTORYDIFFRELATEJSONXMLCTI CVSS Meta Temp Score Current Exploit Price (≈) CTI Interest Score 3.2 $0-$5k 1.00+ Summaryinfo A vulnerability has been found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0 and classified as problematic. The affected element is the function zoneToCache. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-33601. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded. Detailsinfo A vulnerability was found in PowerDNS Recursor up to 5.2.8/5.3.5/5.4.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function zoneToCache. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is: If you use the zoneToCache function with a malicious authoritative server, an attacker can send a zone that result in a null pointer dereference, caused by a missing consistency check and leading to a denial of service. The weakness was disclosed by ylwango613. The advisory is shared at docs.powerdns.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-33601 since 03/23/2026. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. Upgrading to version 5.2.9, 5.3.6 or 5.4.1 eliminates this vulnerability. Productinfo Type Domain Name Software Vendor PowerDNS Name Recursor Version 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.2.0 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.2.4 5.2.5 5.2.6 5.2.7 5.2.8 5.3 5.3.0 5.3.1 5.3.2 5.3.3 5.3.4 5.3.5 5.4.0 License free CPE 2.3info 🔒 🔒 🔒 CPE 2.2info 🔒 🔒 🔒 CVSSv4info VulDB Vector: 🔒 VulDB Reliability: 🔍 CVSSv3info VulDB Meta Base Score: 3.3 VulDB Meta Temp Score: 3.2 VulDB Base Score: 2.2 VulDB Temp Score: 2.1 VulDB Vector: 🔒 VulDB Reliability: 🔍 CNA Base Score: 4.4 CNA Vector: 🔒 CVSSv2info Vector Complexity Authentication Confidentiality Integrity Availability Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock VulDB Base Score: 🔒 VulDB Temp Score: 🔒 VulDB Reliability: 🔍 Exploitinginfo Class: Null pointer dereference CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404 CAPEC: 🔒 ATT&CK: 🔒 Physical: No Local: No Remote: Yes Availability: 🔒 Status: Not defined Price Prediction: 🔍 Current Price Estimation: 🔒 0-Day Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Today Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Threat Intelligenceinfo Interest: 🔍 Active Actors: 🔍 Active APT Groups: 🔍 Countermeasuresinfo Recommended: Upgrade Status: 🔍 0-Day Time: 🔒 Upgrade: Recursor 5.2.9/5.3.6/5.4.1 Timelineinfo 03/23/2026 CVE reserved 04/22/2026 +29 days Advisory disclosed 04/22/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created 04/22/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update Sourcesinfo Advisory: docs.powerdns.com Researcher: ylwango613 Status: Confirmed CVE: CVE-2026-33601 (🔒) GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-33601 GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-358837 Entryinfo Created: 04/22/2026 13:28 Changes: 04/22/2026 13:28 (65) Complete: 🔍 Cache ID: 99:AAD:101 Discussion No comments yet. Languages: en. Please log in to comment. ◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸