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Vulnerability record · CVE-2023-6516 · published 13 February 2024

CVE-2023-6516: Isc bind allocation without limits vulnerability

Isc · Bind

To keep its cache database efficient, `named` running as a recursive resolver occasionally attempts to clean up the database. It uses several methods, including some that are asynchronous: a small chunk of memory pointing to the cache element that can be cleaned up is first allocated and then queued for later processing. It was discovered that if the resolver is continuously processing query patterns triggering this type of cache-database maintenance, `named` may not be able to handle the cleanup events in a timely manner. This in turn enables the list of queued cleanup events to grow infinitely large over time, allowing the configured `max-cache-size` limit to be significantly exceeded. This issue affects BIND 9 versions 9.16.0 through 9.16.45 and 9.16.8-S1 through 9.16.45-S1.

7.5 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 1.1% · top 35.5% CWE-770 · Allocation without limitsCWE-789 · CWE-789
7.5CVSS 3.1 base score
1.1%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
10References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

To keep its cache database efficient, `named` running as a recursive resolver occasionally attempts to clean up the database. It uses several methods, including some that are asynchronous: a small chunk of memory pointing to the cache element that can be cleaned up is first allocated and then queued for later processing. It was discovered that if the resolver is continuously processing query patterns triggering this type of cache-database maintenance, `named` may not be able to handle the cleanup events in a timely manner. This in turn enables the list of queued cleanup events to grow infinitely large over time, allowing the configured `max-cache-size` limit to be significantly exceeded. This issue affects BIND 9 versions 9.16.0 through 9.16.45 and 9.16.8-S1 through 9.16.45-S1.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected products

2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/13/1 Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://kb.isc.org/docs/cve-2023-6516 Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/PNNHZSZPG2E7NBMBNYPGHCFI4 Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/ZDZFMEKQTZ4L7RY46FCENWFB5 Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240503-0008/ Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/13/1 Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://kb.isc.org/docs/cve-2023-6516 Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/PNNHZSZPG2E7NBMBNYPGHCFI4 Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/ZDZFMEKQTZ4L7RY46FCENWFB5 Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240503-0008/ Third Party Advisory

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Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2023-6516), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-29). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.