CVE-2014-2031: Deadwood before 2.3.09, 3.x before 3.2.05, and as used in MaraDNS before 1.4.14 and 2.x before 2.0.09, allow r

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MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2014-2031 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting maradns, deadwood. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Deadwood before 2.3.09, 3.x before 3.2.05, and as used in MaraDNS before 1.4.14 and 2.x before 2.0.09, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and crash) by leveraging permission to perform recursive queries against Deadwood, related to a logic error.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2018-03-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: deadwood project · maradns project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-03-20 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

maradns project maradns UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.4.14 · >= 2.0.05 and < 2.0.09

Fixed in: 1.4.14, 2.0.09

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.05

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy maradns || rpm -q maradns || maradns --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.14 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade maradns

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade maradns

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.05 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison maradns sudo apt install maradns=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.05> sudo apt-mark hold maradns

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list maradns sudo dnf downgrade maradns-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.05> sudo dnf versionlock add maradns

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

deadwood project deadwood UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.3.09 · >= 3.0.01 and < 3.2.05

Fixed in: 2.3.09, 3.2.05

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.01

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy deadwood || rpm -q deadwood || deadwood --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.3.09 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade deadwood

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade deadwood

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.01 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison deadwood sudo apt install deadwood=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.01> sudo apt-mark hold deadwood

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list deadwood sudo dnf downgrade deadwood-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.01> sudo dnf versionlock add deadwood

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2014-2031?

maradns: upgrade to 1.4.14, 2.0.09; deadwood: upgrade to 2.3.09, 3.2.05. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-2031 being exploited?

CVE-2014-2031 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2014-2031 affect?

CVE-2014-2031 affects maradns, deadwood. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). Deadwood before 2.3.09, 3.x before 3.2.05, and as used in MaraDNS before 1.4.14 and 2.x before 2.0.09, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and crash) by leveraging permission to perform recursive queries

How urgent is CVE-2014-2031?

Priority 45/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

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CVE-2022-30256 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in MaraDNS Deadwood through 3.5.0021 that allows variant V1 of unintended domain name
CVE-2014-2032 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE Deadwood before 2.3.09, 3.x before 3.2.05, and as used in MaraDNS before 1.4.14 and 2.x before 2.0.09, allow r

References

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