Novel "ghost domain names" attack by introducing subdomain delegations
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 4 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-613.
Summary
NLnet Labs Unbound, up to and including version 1.16.1 is vulnerable to a novel type of the "ghost domain names" attack. The vulnerability works by targeting an Unbound instance. Unbound is queried for a subdomain of a rogue domain name. The rogue nameserver returns delegation information for the subdomain that updates Unbound's delegation cache. This action can be repeated before expiry of the delegation information by querying Unbound for a second level subdomain which the rogue nameserver provides new delegation information. Since Unbound is a child-centric resolver, the ever-updating child delegation information can keep a rogue domain name resolvable long after revocation. From version 1.16.2 on, Unbound checks the validity of parent delegation records before using cached delegation information.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLnet Labs | Unbound | up to 1.16.1 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Unbound VendorNLnet Labs Affected up to 1.16.1 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:nlnetlabs:unbound:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 1.16.2 | Vulnerable | NLNETLABS |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 35 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:36:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 36 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
- cpe:2.3:a:nlnetlabs:unbound:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 1.16.2 Vulnerable ·NLNETLABS
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 35 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:36:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 36 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
Remediation
Red Hat 3 advisories
- RHSA-2024:2045 Released 2024-04-25 · Red Hat rating Moderateunbound security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.8.6) python3-unbound-1.7.3-17.el8_6.5, unbound-1.7.3-17.el8_6.5, unbound-devel-1.7.3-17.el8_6.5 +1
- RHSA-2022:8062 Released 2022-11-15 · Red Hat rating Moderateunbound security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) unbound-devel-1.16.2-2.el9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) python3-unbound-1.16.2-2.el9, unbound-1.16.2-2.el9, unbound-libs-1.16.2-2.el9
- RHSA-2022:7622 Released 2022-11-08 · Red Hat rating Moderateunbound security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) python3-unbound-1.16.2-2.el8, unbound-1.16.2-2.el8, unbound-devel-1.16.2-2.el8 +1
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
NLnet Labs Unbound — FEDORA-2022-f89beb0640
2 records Highest priority Priority LOW 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2022-12835 Novel "ghost domain names" attack by updating almost expired delegation informationPriority LOW 31
- Advisory ·
NLnet Labs Unbound — FEDORA-2022-0a914d5c6b
2 records Highest priority Priority LOW 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2022-12835 Novel "ghost domain names" attack by updating almost expired delegation informationPriority LOW 31
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:8062 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:7622 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:8062 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.8.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:2045 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2022-30698
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-297v-qp46-84h5
References
More NLnet Labs vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-25690 Possible arbitrary code execution during DNSSEC validation CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2026-56302 Heap buffer overflow and possible Remote Code Execution when digesting DNSKEY CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2026-31146 Crash during DNSSEC validation of malicious content CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-31135 Heap overflow with multiple NSID, COOKIE, PADDING EDNS options CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-36436 Routinator crashes on specifically crafted RRDP XML files CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-36433 Routinator exits when accepting an incoming HTTP or RTR connection fails CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
Sources
- CVE-2022-30698 · CVE Program
- CVE-2022-30698 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-297v-qp46-84h5 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2022-30698 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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