CVE-2017-14493

CRITICAL

dnsmasq <2.78 - Buffer Overflow

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2017-14493. PoCs published by Google Security Research, pupiles.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit triggers a stack-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq's DHCPv6 relay handling by sending a malformed packet with an oversized OPTION6_CLIENT_MAC field. The PoC causes a segmentation fault, demonstrating the vulnerability described in CVE-2017-14493.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq before 2.78 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted DHCPv6 request.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · pythondosmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42943

This exploit triggers a stack-based buffer overflow in dnsmasq's DHCPv6 relay handling by sending a malformed packet with an oversized OPTION6_CLIENT_MAC field. The PoC causes a segmentation fault, demonstrating the vulnerability described in CVE-2017-14493.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: dnsmasq versions prior to 2.78
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target's DHCPv6 port (547/UDP)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 4 stars
by pupiles · poc
https://github.com/pupiles/bof-dnsmasq-cve-2017-14493

This is a Python-based exploit for CVE-2017-14493, a buffer overflow vulnerability in DNSmasq. The PoC constructs a malicious DHCPv6 packet to trigger a stack-based buffer overflow, leading to remote code execution (RCE) via ROP chain manipulation.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: DNSmasq (versions prior to 2.78)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to vulnerable DNSmasq instance · DNSmasq configured to process DHCPv6 packets
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (20)

Core 20
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039474
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3989
Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://access.redhat.com/security/vulnerabilities/3199382
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101085
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42943/
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3430-1
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/973527
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_gentoo
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-27
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3430-2
Patch, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2836
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4561
Patch, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2837
Release Notes, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq/CHANGELOG
Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_suse
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2017-10/msg00006.html

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.8364
EPSS Percentile 99.7%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-119
Status published
Products (12)
canonical/ubuntu_linux 14.04
canonical/ubuntu_linux 16.04
canonical/ubuntu_linux 17.04
debian/debian_linux 7.0
debian/debian_linux 7.1
debian/debian_linux 9.0
opensuse/leap 42.2
opensuse/leap 42.3
redhat/enterprise_linux_desktop 7.0
redhat/enterprise_linux_server 7.0
... and 2 more
Published Oct 03, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026