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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2017-14494

MediumPublic exploit

dnsmasq before 2.78, when configured as a relay, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive memory information via vectors involving handling DHCPv6 forwarded requests.

Published Oct 3, 2017 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2017-14494, DEBIAN-CVE-2017-14494, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-14494

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2017-14494 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.9 v3.1) affecting Dnsmasq (Thekelleys), Ubuntu Linux (Canonical), Debian Linux and 5 more products.
  • It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 68% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • Fixed versions are available, including Dnsmasq 0:2.66-14.el7_2.2, Dnsmasq 2.62-3+deb7u4, Dnsmasq 2.68-1ubuntu0.2.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

CVSS v3.1

5.9

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

68%

Higher than 99.3% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

No known

Not in a known-exploited catalog

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2017-14494 brief as a PDF

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Description

dnsmasq before 2.78, when configured as a relay, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive memory information via vectors involving handling DHCPv6 forwarded requests.

Affected Products

101 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
DnsmasqThekelleysSee advisory2.77
Ubuntu LinuxCanonical14.04, 16.04, 17.04n/a
Debian LinuxDebian7.0, 7.1, 9.0n/a
LeapNovell42.2, 42.3n/a
Enterprise Linux DesktopRedhat7.0n/a
3 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Patched Releases

Dnsmasq

0:2.66-14.el7_2.2, 2.62-3+deb7u4, 2.68-1ubuntu0.2, 2.72-3+deb8u2, 2.75-1ubuntu0.16.04.3, 2.76-2.14.amzn1, 2.76-2.el7_4.2, 2.76-2.ph1, 2.76-3.ph2, 2.76-5.amzn2, 2.76-5+deb9u1, 2.76-r1, 2.76-r2, 2.76-r5, 2.78-0.16.5.1, 2.78-0.17.5.1, 2.78-1, 2.78-13.1, 2.78-18.3.1, 2.78-6.6.1, 2.78-r0, 2.86-1.1, NA, 2.77

dnsmasq-utils

2.76-2.14.amzn1, 2.76-2.el7_4.2, 2.76-5.amzn2, 2.78-13.1, 2.78-18.3.1, 2.86-1.1

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    Oct 3, 2017

  2. Last updated

    Aug 4, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read
  • CWE-200 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

References

15 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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