# CVE-2026-42001: PowerDNS Authoritative Server insufficient validation of Autoprimary SOA queries

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42001-powerdns-authoritative-server-insufficient-validation-of  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-21. Updated: 2026-05-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42001 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-05-21

A vulnerability has been identified in PowerDNS Authoritative Server, a widely used system for managing internet domain names. An attacker can exploit this flaw to disrupt the availability of the DNS service, potentially causing websites and email services to become unreachable. This issue specifically affects how the server handles automated updates from primary servers, leading to a denial-of-service condition.

Technologies: [Powerdns Authoritative Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/authoritative-server). Vendors: [Powerdns](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/powerdns).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42001 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42001 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42001?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 21 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** PowerDNS Authoritative Server.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42001?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-42001 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42001?** Check whether you run Powerdns Authoritative Server. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

PowerDNS Authoritative Server fails to properly validate Start of Authority (SOA) queries when configured with 'autoprimary' (formerly 'superslave') functionality. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send specially crafted SOA queries to the server, which may lead to resource exhaustion or service instability. This vulnerability is classified as a Denial of Service (DoS) because it impacts the availability of the DNS daemon without directly compromising data confidentiality or integrity. Users are advised to review their PowerDNS security advisories for specific version patches and configuration mitigations.

## Affected products

- PowerDNS Authoritative Server

## Timeline

- 2026-05-21: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://docs.powerdns.com/authoritative/security-advisories/powerdns-advisory-powerdns-2026-06.html](https://docs.powerdns.com/authoritative/security-advisories/powerdns-advisory-powerdns-2026-06.html)

## Related threats

- [PowerDNS Authoritative Server denial of service in internal web server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42005-powerdns-authoritative-server-denial-of-service-in-internal-web)
- [PowerDNS Authoritative Server denial of service in catalog zone transfer](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42396-powerdns-authoritative-server-denial-of-service-in-catalog-zone)
- [PowerDNS Authoritative Server denial of service in GSS-TSIG](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42002-powerdns-authoritative-server-denial-of-service-in-gss-tsig)
- [PowerDNS Authoritative Server insufficient name validation in AXFR](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42000-powerdns-authoritative-server-insufficient-name-validation-in)
- [PowerDNS Authoritative Server incorrect view handling with TCP PROXY](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41999-powerdns-authoritative-server-incorrect-view-handling-with-tcp)