CVE-2023-50868
CVSS v3
7.5
HIGH
EPSS Score
73.7 %
exploit probability, as of 2026-10-04
CISA KEV
No
known exploited
Exploitation
—
SSVC status
Description
The Closest Encloser Proof aspect of the DNS protocol (in RFC 5155 when RFC 9276 guidance is skipped) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption for SHA-1 computations) via DNSSEC responses in a random subdomain attack, aka the "NSEC3" issue. The RFC 5155 specification implies that an algorithm must perform thousands of iterations of a hash function in certain situations.
Technical details
- Published
- 2024-02-14
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2023-50868?
The Closest Encloser Proof aspect of the DNS protocol (in RFC 5155 when RFC 9276 guidance is skipped) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption for SHA-1 computations) via DNSSEC responses in a random subdomain attack, aka the "NSEC3" issue. The RFC 5155 specification implies that an algorithm must perform thousands of iterations of a hash function in certain situations.
Is CVE-2023-50868 actively exploited?
Active exploitation of CVE-2023-50868 has not been confirmed. Its EPSS score was 73.7% on 2026-10-04, the estimated probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-50868?
CVE-2023-50868 has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 (HIGH severity).
Is CVE-2023-50868 affecting your environment?
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