CVE-2016-7072

Name: CVE-2016-7072
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-09-10T17:29:00.193+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 6.32%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-7072 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. An issue has been found in PowerDNS Authoritative Server before 3.4.11 and 4.0.2 allowing a remote, unauthenticated attacker to cause a denial of service by opening a large number of TCP connections to the web server. If the web server runs out of file descriptors, it triggers an exception and terminates the whole PowerDNS process. EPSS estimates a 6.32% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue has been found in PowerDNS Authoritative Server before 3.4.11 and 4.0.2 allowing a remote, unauthenticated attacker to cause a denial of service by opening a large number of TCP connections to the web server. If the web server runs out of file descriptors, it triggers an exception and terminates the whole PowerDNS process. While it's more complicated for an unauthorized attacker to make the web server run out of file descriptors since its connection will be closed just after being accepted, it might still be possible.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

6.32%

92.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Powerdns	Authoritative	< 3.4.11
Powerdns	Authoritative	>= 4.0.0, < 4.0.2
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0

References

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2016-7072Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://doc.powerdns.com/md/security/powerdns-advisory-2016-03/Vendor Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3764Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2016-7072Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://doc.powerdns.com/md/security/powerdns-advisory-2016-03/Vendor Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3764Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 10, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-7072?

How severe is CVE-2016-7072?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-7072 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 6.32% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7072?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-7072?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST