Sources: National Vulnerability Database, CVE.org, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS
CVE-2026-123588 Overview
The recursive resolver in Hickory DNS (all versions of the hickory-recursor crate, and hickory-resolver 0.26.0 before 0.26.2) caches an empty connection pool when it follows a referral with no glue records and all queries for the name servers' IP addresses fail. An attacker able to spoof DNS responses can make these lookups fail, causing all subsequent queries for the affected zone to fail until the cache entry expires or is evicted.
Critical Impact
Affected Products
- recursive resolver in Hickory DNS: see the vendor advisory for the exact affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-11-08: CVE-2026-123588 published to the National Vulnerability Database by disclosure@vulncheck.com
- 2026-11-08: last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-123588
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-123588 is a Security Vulnerability weakness (CWE-754) in recursive resolver in Hickory DNS. Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction.
With a CVSS base score of 8.7, apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Root Cause
The vendor description states: The recursive resolver in Hickory DNS (all versions of the hickory-recursor crate, and hickory-resolver 0.26.0 before 0.26.2) caches an empty connection pool when it follows a referral with no glue records and all queries for the name servers' IP addresses fail. An attacker able to spoof DNS responses can make these lookups fail, causing all subsequent queries for the affected zone to fail until the cache entry expires or is evicted.
Attack Vector
Based on the CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Attack complexity is low complexity.
No exploitation in the wild is confirmed by CISA at the time of the last update. Check the references below for any vendor or researcher proof of concept.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-123588
Detection Strategies
- Inventory every instance of recursive resolver in Hickory DNS and compare the running version with the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Run an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner ships a check for this CVE.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward recursive resolver in Hickory DNS application, access and audit logs to your SIEM for retrospective hunting.
- Alert on new processes, configuration changes or outbound connections from the affected service.
- Track the vendor advisory and the CISA KEV catalog for changes in exploitation status.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-123588
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version of recursive resolver in Hickory DNS named in the vendor advisory.
- Prioritize internet facing and business critical instances first.
- Rescan after the change to confirm the exposure is closed.
Patch Information
Use the fixed version listed in the vendor advisory for recursive resolver in Hickory DNS.
Workarounds
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and place it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
CWE References
Technical References
This entry is built directly from NVD, CISA KEV and EPSS data. Verify fixed versions in the vendor advisory before you deploy.
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