CVE-2026-78227: NLnet Labs Unbound 1.22.0 up to and including 1.26.1, has a use-after-free vulnerability when compiled for DNS

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-78227 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting unbound. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

NLnet Labs Unbound 1.22.0 up to and including 1.26.1, has a use-after-free vulnerability when compiled for DNS-over-QUIC support with '--with-libngtcp2'. Each DoQ stream owns an output buffer that holds the DNS response. ngtcp2's retransmission buffer keeps a shallow pointer into the output buffer for as long as a STREAM frame may be resent. On a client RESET_STREAM, the output buffer is freed but ngtcp2 still holds the matching retransmission en

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 73%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2026-09-16
Last modified	2026-09-23

Publisher (CNA): NLnet Labs · Vendor: nlnetlabs

Last updated 2026-09-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-09-16 09:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-23 20:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nlnetlabs unbound UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.22.0 and < 1.26.1

Fixed in: 1.26.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.22.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.26.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unbound

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 1.22.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison unbound sudo apt install unbound=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.22.0> sudo apt-mark hold unbound

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

dnf --showduplicates list unbound sudo dnf downgrade unbound-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.22.0> sudo dnf versionlock add unbound

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-2026-78227?

unbound: upgrade to 1.26.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-78227 being exploited?

CVE-2026-78227 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-2026-78227 affect?

CVE-2026-78227 affects unbound. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). NLnet Labs Unbound 1.22.0 up to and including 1.26.1, has a use-after-free vulnerability when compiled for DNS-over-QUIC support with '--with-libngtcp2'. Each DoQ stream owns an output buffer that holds the DNS response. ngtcp2's retransmis

How urgent is CVE-2026-78227?

Priority 35/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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References

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