Dnsmasq vulnerabilities: known CVEs & security history
Simon Kelley · Network / DNS · 37 tracked CVEs · 0 actively exploited · updated June 2026 · what is a CVE? →
This is the full list of known vulnerabilities (CVEs) across all Dnsmasq release lines — 37 in total. A CVE here doesn't mean your version is affected — check Dnsmasq's current status and the safe version to run.
Known Dnsmasq CVEs
Actively-exploited and most-severe first. Open any CVE for full details.
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2021-45957 | critical | 9.8 | 2% | 2022 |
| CVE-2021-45956 | critical | 9.8 | 3% | 2022 |
| CVE-2021-45955 | critical | 9.8 | 3% | 2022 |
| CVE-2021-45954 | critical | 9.8 | 3% | 2022 |
| CVE-2021-45953 | critical | 9.8 | 3% | 2022 |
| CVE-2021-45952 | critical | 9.8 | 3% | 2022 |
| CVE-2021-45951 | critical | 9.8 | 3% | 2022 |
| CVE-2017-14491 | critical | 9.8 | 85% | 2017 |
| CVE-2017-14493 | critical | 9.8 | 84% | 2017 |
| CVE-2017-14492 | critical | 9.8 | 93% | 2017 |
| CVE-2020-25682 | high | 8.1 | 71% | 2021 |
| CVE-2020-25681 | high | 8.1 | 81% | 2021 |
| CVE-2008-3214 | high | 7.8 | 3% | 2008 |
| CVE-2023-49441 | high | 7.5 | 1% | 2024 |
| CVE-2023-50387 | high | 7.5 | 100% | 2024 |
| CVE-2023-28450 | high | 7.5 | 1% | 2023 |
| CVE-2022-0934 | high | 7.5 | 1% | 2022 |
| CVE-2019-14513 | high | 7.5 | 2% | 2019 |
| CVE-2017-15107 | high | 7.5 | 3% | 2018 |
| CVE-2017-14496 | high | 7.5 | 66% | 2017 |
| CVE-2017-14495 | high | 7.5 | 84% | 2017 |
| CVE-2017-13704 | high | 7.5 | 65% | 2017 |
| CVE-2015-8899 | high | 7.5 | 2% | 2016 |
| CVE-2005-0877 | high | 7.5 | 2% | 2005 |
| CVE-2009-2957 | medium | 6.8 | 13% | 2009 |
| CVE-2015-3294 | medium | 6.4 | 4% | 2015 |
| CVE-2020-25687 | medium | 5.9 | 87% | 2021 |
| CVE-2020-25683 | medium | 5.9 | 86% | 2021 |
| CVE-2017-14494 | medium | 5.9 | 68% | 2017 |
| CVE-2013-0198 | medium | 5 | 3% | 2013 |
| CVE-2012-3411 | medium | 5 | 5% | 2013 |
| CVE-2009-2958 | medium | 4.3 | 10% | 2009 |
| CVE-2021-3448 | medium | 4 | 2% | 2021 |
| CVE-2020-25686 | low | 3.7 | 5% | 2021 |
| CVE-2020-25685 | low | 3.7 | 2% | 2021 |
| CVE-2020-25684 | low | 3.7 | 4% | 2021 |
| CVE-2019-14834 | low | 3.7 | 3% | 2020 |
Is my Dnsmasq version affected?
The list above spans every release. To know whether your version is affected — and the minimum safe version to upgrade to — check it directly.
Check your Dnsmasq version → · Monitor Dnsmasq for new CVEs →
Dnsmasq vulnerabilities — frequently asked
How many known vulnerabilities does Dnsmasq have?
IsItPatched tracks 37 CVEs for Dnsmasq. 10 are critical-severity and 14 high-severity. These span every release line — what matters is whether the version you run is affected.
Does Dnsmasq have any actively-exploited vulnerabilities?
None of Dnsmasq's tracked CVEs are currently in CISA's KEV catalog — but new ones can be added at any time, so keep your version current.
What is the most severe Dnsmasq vulnerability?
Among tracked issues, CVE-2021-45957 (CRITICAL, CVSS 9.8) ranks highest — a Out-of-bounds write weakness.
Is Dnsmasq safe to use?
It depends on the version. The latest supported Dnsmasq release clears the known issues; older versions may still be affected. Check the exact version you run for a verdict.
CVE data aggregated from NVD, CISA KEV and EPSS (FIRST.org). Related: Dnsmasq security status · Dnsmasq end-of-life · actively-exploited CVEs. Always verify against Simon Kelley's advisories — see our disclaimer.