# CVE-2026-52690: PowerDNS Recursor DNSSEC validation failure via EDNS spoofing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52690-powerdns-recursor-dnssec-validation-failure-via-edns-spoofing  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-25. Updated: 2026-06-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-52690 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.9 · Published 2026-06-25

PowerDNS Recursor, a tool used by internet service providers to look up website addresses for users, is vulnerable to a spoofing attack. An attacker can send fake network responses that trick the system into believing a legitimate server does not support modern security standards. This results in a denial of service where secure website records (DNSSEC) fail to validate, potentially preventing users from reaching their intended destinations.

Technologies: [Powerdns Recursor](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/recursor). Vendors: [Powerdns](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/powerdns).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-52690 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-52690 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-52690?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.9, published 25 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Powerdns Recursor 5.2.0 to 5.2.10, 5.3.0 to 5.3.7, 5.4.0 to 5.4.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-52690?** 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-2026-52690 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-52690?** Check whether you run Powerdns Recursor at an affected version. 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

A vulnerability in PowerDNS Recursor's outgoing EDNS handling allows a remote attacker to spoof DNS responses. By sending these malicious replies, an attacker can trick the Recursor into flagging an authoritative server's IP as lacking EDNS support. Because EDNS is required for DNSSEC, this state change causes the Recursor to fail the validation of DNSSEC records served by that authoritative server. The attack requires the adversary to successfully spoof responses (typically involving high complexity due to port and ID randomization). Patches are available in versions 5.2.11, 5.3.8, and 5.4.3.

## Affected products

- PowerDNS Recursor 5.2.0 to 5.2.10, 5.3.0 to 5.3.7, 5.4.0 to 5.4.2

## Timeline

- 2026-06-25: disclosed
- 2026-06-25: advisory

## References

- [https://repo.powerdns.com/](https://repo.powerdns.com/)
- [https://docs.powerdns.com/recursor/security-advisories/powerdns-advisory-powerdns-2026-08.html](https://docs.powerdns.com/recursor/security-advisories/powerdns-advisory-powerdns-2026-08.html)

## Related threats

- [PowerDNS Recursor DNSSEC wildcard validation bypass in RRSIG processing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52688-powerdns-recursor-dnssec-wildcard-validation-bypass-in-rrsig)
- [PowerDNS Recursor DNSSEC validation bypass in wildcard CNAME/DNAME records](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52686-powerdns-recursor-dnssec-validation-bypass-in-wildcard-cname)
- [PowerDNS Recursor TTL capping bypass in NS record refresh](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52684-powerdns-recursor-ttl-capping-bypass-in-ns-record-refresh)
- [PowerDNS Recursor improper ZONEMD validation in ZoneToCache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42390-powerdns-recursor-improper-zonemd-validation-in-zonetocache)
- [PowerDNS Recursor insufficient validation of authoritative answers](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42389-powerdns-recursor-insufficient-validation-of-authoritative)