CVE-2026-44621 Details
Description
With NLnet Labs Unbound up to and including version 1.25.1, applications using libunbound and configured with 'unwanted-reply-threshold', could eventually be abruptly terminated if the threshold is reached and libunbound needs to call 'libworker_alloc_cleanup' since the function is absent from the function call allow list. When an application using libunbound sets 'unwanted-reply-threshold' to any non-zero value and the iterator queries an authoritative that replies with enough wrong-transaction-ID UDP datagrams to cross the threshold, the 'libworker_alloc_cleanup' will eventually be called. Since the function is absent from the function call allow list, this leads to a fatal exit of libunbound and eventual termination of the embedding application.Unbound itself is not affected since its relevant function 'worker_alloc_cleanup' is registed in the allow list and proceeds to perform the documented cache flush.
A denial-of-service vulnerability has been identified in NLnet Labs Unbound versions prior to and including 1.25.1. The issue arises in applications using libunbound that are configured with the 'unwanted-reply-threshold' option. When this threshold is exceeded by incorrect UDP responses, libunbound attempts to call 'libworker_alloc_cleanup'. However, since this function is not included in the allowed call list, libunbound exits fatally, causing the application to terminate. Unbound itself is not impacted, as its equivalent function is properly registered.
Users can upgrade to Unbound version 1.25.2, which includes the necessary fix, or apply one of the available patches to version 1.25.1.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
CISA-ADP
Assessed Jul 22, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://www.nlnetlabs.nl/downloads/unbound/CVE-2026-44621.txt | [email protected] | Vendor Advisory |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-754 | Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| nlnetlabs unbound | < 1.25.2 |
CPE
Remediation
| |
Change History
3 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2026 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| Jul 22, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jul 22, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |