CVE-2026-41637: In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.22.0 up to and including 1.25.1, client terminated DNS-over-QUIC (DoQ) queries are not accounted properly by Unbound resulting in low-cost inflation of the
In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.22.0 up to and including 1.25.1, client terminated DNS-over-QUIC (DoQ) queries are not accounted properly by Unbound resulting in low-cost inflation of the waiting number of replies for already in-flight resolution queries. This results in degradation of resolution service for new clients for already in-flight queries. A malicious actor can exploit the vulnerability by issuing DoQ queries for query names that need resolution and proceeding on immediately terminating the query by one of STOP_SENDING/RESET_STREAM/CONNECTION_CLOSE QUIC frames. Those terminated DoQ queries are not properly counted for and keep inflating the number of waiting replies for in-flight queries. When the maximum is reached, it results in silent query drops for new clients needing resolution for already in-flight queries. This vulnerability needs Unbound to be compiled with DoQ support ('--with-libngtcp2') and the 'quic-port' to be configured for the listening interfaces. Additionally, a malicious actor needs access to multiple source IPs to bypass the by-default configured 'wait-limit' option.
Details
Original advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41637
Exploitation outlook
EPSS (FIRST.org) estimates each CVE’s probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — here is the CSIRTS.com read on those numbers.
- Low exploitation riskCVE-2026-416370.27% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 18% of all scored CVEs.
Referenced CVEs
| CVE | CSIRTS overview | External |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-41637 | coverage & exploitation status | NVD · CVE.org |
Same CVEs, other sources
How other CERTs, PSIRTs and databases cover the vulnerabilities in this advisory.
Recent advisories for In NLnet Labs
A cluster of recent advisories against the same product widens the attack surface — attackers routinely chain freshly published CVEs on one product, so review these together.
- mediumCVE-2026-56444: In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.20.0 up to and including 1.25.1, when Unbound is configured with 'serv…nvd · 2026-07-22
- mediumCVE-2026-56416: In NLnet Labs Unbound up to and including version 1.25.1, when the validator builds the canoni…nvd · 2026-07-22
- mediumCVE-2026-55991: In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.22.0 up to and including 1.25.1, a remote unauthenticated client can t…nvd · 2026-07-22
- mediumCVE-2026-55990: In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.7.0 up to and including 1.25.1, when the 'dnscrypt:' clause lists more…nvd · 2026-07-22
- highCVE-2026-55973: In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.23.0 up to and including 1.25.1, when 'dns-error-reporting: yes' is se…nvd · 2026-07-22
- mediumCVE-2026-55717: In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.10.0 up to and including 1.25.1, when 'serve-expired: yes' is set toge…nvd · 2026-07-22
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