CVE-2026-44687: Off-by-one error in 'harden-below-nxdomain' logic can shadow a stub/forward zone by a legitimate parent's NXDOMAIN

Published Jul 22, 2026
·
Updated

In NLnet Labs Unbound 1.13.2 up to and including 1.25.1, stub or forward zones where the name is below an intermediate labed below a DNSSEC signed zone could be shadowed by the intermediate label's secure NXDOMAIN answer from the parent. This is caused by an off-by-one error in 'harden-below-nxdomain' logic; enabled by default. It effectively bypasses the configuration and the configured stub/forward zone is never contacted. 'harden-below-nxdomain' does an upward DNS cache walk together with a delegation point guard that does not allow NXDOMAIN synthesis above stub/forward zones. The guard tests the domain name but before stripping a label. This results in an iteration where the domain name equals the configured stub/forward zone apex that passes the guard, strips one more label, and probes the cache at the apex's immediate public parent. If that parent has a cached DNSSEC-secure NXDOMAIN, which it will for any private namespace nested two or more labels under a signed public name, the walk returns it and the configured stub/forward upstream is never contacted. This can only be triggered by the query for the intermediate label (between the stub/forward apex and the DNSSEC parent zone).

Other sources

Off-by-one error in 'harden-below-nxdomain' logic can shadow a stub/forward zone by a legitimate parent's NXDOMAIN

Microsoft

Affected Software

3 affected componentsFixes available
Nlnet Labs Unbound>=1.13.2<=1.25.1
Microsoft azl3 unbound 1.25.1-1<1.25.2-1
1.25.2-1
nlnetlabs Unbound>=1.13.2<1.25.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.25.2-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade NLnet Labs Unbound to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.25.2

Event History

Jul 22, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:06 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:06 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:17 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jul 23, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:03 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:03 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·08:03 AM
DescriptionSeverity
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-44687?

The severity of CVE-2026-44687 is rated as low with a score of 3.7.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-44687?

To fix CVE-2026-44687, update the NLnet Labs Unbound software to version 1.25.2 or later.

3

What type of error is present in CVE-2026-44687?

CVE-2026-44687 contains an off-by-one error in the 'harden-below-nxdomain' logic.

4

Which versions of NLnet Labs Unbound are affected by CVE-2026-44687?

NLnet Labs Unbound versions 1.13.2 through 1.25.1 are affected by CVE-2026-44687.

5

What consequence does CVE-2026-44687 have on DNS zones?

CVE-2026-44687 can cause stub or forward zones to be shadowed by a legitimate parent's NXDOMAIN response.

Contact

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